As we all know, its a normal American thing to want weight. The heavier the item the better. I see this a lot, not only here but all over.
Here is a 16" strand of fine graduated (9mm - 16mm) Navajo pearls. The strand only weighs 28.1 grams. From the point of a silversmith, beads such as these require more skill to solder properly than soldering thicker silver. Just some thoughts.
I love these! 20 characters
These are fabulous!!!
For me, I like them a bit on the heavy side as they seem to lay better when worn.Two of the three strings of pearls were bought in person because I liked the way they looked when I tried them on.
I ordered the James McCabe Mercury dime bead necklace after I tried one in a store. It is by far the heaviest with 42 beads equaling $8.40 in dimes. He made it extra fancy by adding a handcrafted feather as well as Kingman turquoise beads and clasp.
From the top
Ira and Linda Custer
Artie Yellowhorse
James McCabe
Wonderful collection and made nicer since you know the makers.
And nothing wrong with weight. I too prefer something substantial but do appreciate the craftsmanship in my very light necklace.
The strand of pearls that @StevesTrail kicked this thread off with look exceptionally well made and are an awesome example of expert smithing. Thanks for the great photos, Steve. 
@here4turquoise, your collection is beautiful! I’ve wanted to mention this before, but I like your Edward Curtis photograph, Navajo riders in Canyon de Chelly.
I had never thought that heavier beads are easier to solder but it makes sense! Those beads are are absolutely positively handmade…
. I have to weigh in on the heavier bead side, just love the heavy feel. Eons ago I bought my first beads that were very light, I thought they were fabulous. So our tastes do change
Thank you. We have two other Edward S. Curtis prints. They are portraits.
I also have a very lightweight handmade string that I bought from the pawn case at Cameron Trading Post years ago. I love them! I feel like these lighter ones, yours and mine, have such a beautiful soft patina to them. Mine really look like yours. My saucer beads are heavier, but not terribly so, cuz they’re not very big. The artist I bought them from also had a very large size necklace, and it was so heavy (and pricey) that there is no way I would wear it; I don’t really like to wear heavy necklaces. I had a three strand heavy turquoise necklace that I never wore, because I felt like it literally made my neck ache. So I gave it to a friend.
When I bought them the Navajo lady selling them to me at Cameron told me how much she loved them. And then I got stopped by another Navajo lady who said the same.
I’ve always been afraid to buy lightweight pearls as I would be leery of authenticity. Should we go west again, maybe I will look at Garlands, Perry Null or Cameron.
I hear you. I am hesitant to buy any Native American jewelry unless it’s from some place I trust. I actually haven’t seen any lightweight ones in stores anywhere other than the ones I bought. I remember the Navajo sales lady telling me the beads were older; I’m thinking she said around the '60s, but I may be remembering that wrong.
I don’t blame anyone for being cautious when buying. I’ve been fortunate purchasing most of my items from older folks collections during their downsizing. As a bonus I get to hear about their travels out west.
That’s a great way to buy. I would really enjoy hearing about their travels too.
