Sleek Summer Style Good for All Occasions

by Shane Smith
Shumakolowa Native Arts Jewelry Expert
Model: Chrissie Waquie (Shumakolowa Native Art Expert)

Over the years of selling and suggesting Native jewelry to people and how to wear these beautiful pieces of art, it has come to my attention that many individuals don’t know how and when to wear Native jewelry. So with that, I pulled together a few pieces from our online web store.

Native jewelry is a passion of mine, and I could definitely take it to the next level, but I have to control myself, so I went with a look that’s more of a sleek summer style that’s good for all occasions!

I mixed and matched pieces from three tribal entities (Navajo, Zuni, and Santo Domingo) to show how well they pair together, and to be confident with the selections chosen.

As you can see in the photos, the long-fluted squash blossom earrings pair well with the Zuni sunface pendant, capturing the natural sunlight, and the beauty of the multi-colored heishi necklace grounds the pieces together, showing off the colors found in nature!

You might think that I’ve forgotten about another key component of this look, but luckily I remembered. The Zuni inlay bracelets that adorn my co-worker/model’s wrist are very sleek and stackable! You can definitely go from day to night with bracelets. I photographed them stacked on one wrist, but you can wear one on the opposite side for a more balanced look, or tone it down and just wear one. The same can be said about the necklace, also. Just taking off the pendant and wearing the heishi necklace is a very casual look!

Don’t be afraid to mix and match your pieces! Native jewelry is so versatile and has so much dimension that you can’t go wrong!

With that being said, I just want to thank you for your time, and if you have any questions about the pieces I have selected, you can find them on our website, Shumakolowa.com. or in our store, Shumakolowa Native Arts, located inside the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center!

Thanks again! Hope you all have a wonderful week!!

9 comments

  • Thanks, Shane. I like how you show the pendant on the heishi necklace! Great look! I also always mix and match my Navajo, Zuni, Hopi and Santo Domingo pieces. They all look stunning together. I haven’t yet stacked my bracelets other than a small skinny Zuni needlepoint; I usually wear one on each wrist. Not sure why not; mostly because the clanging of the silver is distracting at church or at a concert and also I’m very small in stature. Nice video, thanks.

    Elizabeth
  • Hi Lizzie, thanks for the kind words! That hair piece is currently only available in-store. It is a Sterling Silver Stamped Hairpin $66 for the all sterling and $70 for the one she is wearing with a turquoise stone. Please give us a call at 505-724-3506 or email support@shumakolowa.com and we can help you with a purchase in person or over the phone. We will try to add this piece to our online store soon. Stay tuned!

    Shumakolowa Native Art Expert
  • Thank you for this interesting article. I try to mix and match my jewelry like was mentioned and have paired some great pieces from several different Pueblos and NA tribes. It all pulls together for some great combinations.

    I enjoy your site and the articles. The online shop is helpful as well for those of us not living there.

    Thank you.

    Pauline Mejias
  • I’m passionate about my jewelry, too, but my problem is I rarely go anywhere special enough to wear my squash blossoms. SO, since I’m old and stuff, I just wear it when I please, with a t-shirt if necessary. I’m pleasing ME now and not bothering with style and fashion ;-)
    LOVE your site. Wish I had more financial resources, but I buy when I can.

    Laura Culley
  • Well done. Thank you for the helpful insight offered in the video.

    S. Gerber

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