Native American Necklaces

Kachina House carries Native American necklaces handmade by Navajo, Zuni, Hopi, and Santo Domingo artists, from squash blossom and naja pendant styles to Zuni fetish and heishi beadwork. The collection spans new work and vintage native american necklace pieces from past decades. Shop authentic Native American jewelry necklace styles online at Kachina House, sourced directly from tribal artists across the Southwest.

Necklaces hold a long history in Native American adornment, worn for status, protection, and personal expression long before European contact. Simple stone or shell on cording gave way to elaborate silverwork after Navajo artists learned silversmithing in the 1850s, later shaped further by trade with Spanish and Mexican craftsmen.

The squash blossom necklace is the style most people picture first. Its naja pendant, the crescent centerpiece, traces back to Spanish horse bridle ornaments the Navajo adapted in the late 1800s. Zuni fetish necklaces take a different form entirely: individual hand-carved animal fetishes in turquoise, coral, or spiny oyster, strung together with tiny shell separators, each fetish believed to carry its own protective power.

Coral holds particular significance across several traditions, associated with vitality and connection to the earth, and appears frequently in vintage Navajo and Zuni work from the mid-20th century. Navajo ghost bead necklaces, made from hollowed juniper berries, were traditionally worn for spiritual protection and are still made today by Navajo and Ute artisans.

How to Choose

• Style: Squash blossom for a classic statement piece, heishi or beaded strands for everyday wear, fetish necklaces for symbolic or collector value.
• Era: Kachina House carries both new and vintage Native American necklace pieces, each identified by period where known.
• Materials: Sterling silver, turquoise, coral, and shell are the most common. Each tribe favors different combinations.
• Wear: Many styles suit any wearer; heavier silver pieces and bolo-adjacent necklaces are traditionally more common in male Native American necklaces, though the distinction has loosened over time.

Common Questions

• What is a squash blossom necklace?
  A traditional Navajo necklace featuring bead clusters shaped like squash blossoms and a crescent naja pendant at the center, a form the Navajo developed in the late 1800s.
• What makes a Zuni fetish necklace authentic?
  Authentic pieces feature hand-carved animal fetishes strung with small shell separators, made from natural stone rather than plastic or resin. Many are unsigned, since fetish carvers traditionally identify their work by carving style rather than a hallmark.
• Are American Indian necklaces at Kachina House authentic?
  Yes. Every piece is sourced directly from Native artists. The Indian Arts and Crafts Act prohibits selling imitation Native American work as authentic.
• What is the difference between new and vintage Native American necklaces?
  New pieces are current work from active artists. Vintage pieces date from past decades, often unsigned, and are valued for period craftsmanship and provenance rather than a current maker's name.

Kachina House is the largest distributor of Native American arts and crafts in Arizona. If you have questions, we urge you to call us toll free at 800-304-3290 or drop us an email.