Jewelry

[qualitygal]

What color stones do you like? I have a bracelet with green, red and the blue. Love those colors. My ring is a knuckle to knuckle with the blue stone. Then I have 5 stone of blue in another bracelet. Have a small red and small blue stud ear rings, and 3 stone hoop ones. I have one set of earrings that are feathers (in silver) with 2 colors of stones. Do wear them from time to time, no special occassion just love the colors.

On JTV they are selling some now like I haven't seen before. Like the colors they use too. I do think SW jewelry is so pretty though. It's not what I have the most of, just some pieces that I mentioned above.

What do you like? Colors, or just one color?

[violann]

Answering your question, QualityGal, I actually like some of each. I have some single color pieces that I wear a lot but also some with several colors that I like too.

The descriptions of your jewelry sound lovely.

[Kachina624]

Im a turquoise snob and nowadays just buy good-quality Indian-made pieces with fine turquoise with interesting matrix. 

[chrystaltree]

I love SW style jewelry, I've been collecting it for years.  I particularly love blue turquoise and prefer turq with matrix and set in heavy sterling settings.  I have more pieces than I can count.  But I also have Sponge coral and chinese green turqoise.  I know...it;s dyed that apple green color...but I like it.  This past year, I added some inlaid pieces into my jewelry wardrobe.  I like the pueblo scenes and I have multigemstone inlaid horse pendant that was a gift from a friend.

[AliJoi5]

I know I'm late to the party here, but figured I'd join in anyway!  It's funny you would ask about the color of stones we like in southwestern jewelry, because I happen to love Native American rainbow pieces.  Here is one set I have by Navajo artist LaRose Ganadonegro.  Not for everyone, I know, but they're some of my faves!  The stones are SB turq, purple and orange spiny oyster shell, gaspeite, and Mediterranean coral.  And, yes, I keep my outfit very mono and plain when wearing these colorful pieces! 

[qualitygal]

@AliJoi5, absolutely beautiful. I love the stones!!!

[Kachina624]

@AliJoi5   Love your rainbows,  Ali.   I bet you feel happy when you wear them. 

[AliJoi5]

Aww thanks @Kachina624.  The look is certainly not for everyone, I understand, but wearing (and seeing others wear) these types of cheerful pieces really does brighten my day.  And don't you find, in general, that doning your handmade pieces (especially  Native American, because of the history behind the craft) makes you feel invigorated?  I think part of that can also be attributed to how wearing natural gemstones makes you feel... kind of a one with nature sort of thing.  That goes for CP/AW with me too, even though the pieces are cast and not technically handmade. 

[AliJoi5]

I'm not sure if you're a fan of cluster-work, Kachina, but I collect LaRose's teardrops.  Here are a couple of my rainbows.  This one looks a little crazy on the bust, lol, but I swear it looks smashing with a jean jacket or black blazer, as long as you keep your outfit neutral.  I don't always wear the necklace and pendant together though.  A bit much!  The center stone on this one is gaspeite.

Not a rainbow, but I thought you might enjoy the dry creek. 

This is my most recent rainbow addition from Vernon and Clarissa Hale (a Navajo husband and wife team).  It's all different shades of turq and spiny oyster.  Nothing particularly impressive about the stones in general, but I do love to wear this one.

[Kachina624]

Yes!   I'd wear any of those bright pieces in a heartbeat.   I love strong,  bold color,  but as you say,  I understand it's not for everyone.   I think you see more of that in the Southwest and California... the Mexican influence perhaps. That's why I think it's extraordinary  that you,  a Northeastener,  are so into it.