When I’ve made that statement, the look I get from a woman is like a light clicked on. If hubby is there, his look is like he wants a gun to go off. Life is fun.
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I think my husband is also glad I prefer silver and turquoise to gold and diamonds, but it’s not always cheaper😁
Have so much fun at the Eiteljorg this weekend, I can’t wait to see what you come up with!
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Yes, you are correct. My original wedding ring was gold with a teeny tiny diamond, and it was pretty cheap. The band was so thin it broke, so I dumped it for a Native American made silver band. However, my husband sometimes hears from guys he works with about how much money their wives are spending on diamonds, and it makes me look like a bargain 
I wish you were able to make it to the market. Maybe next year! I have to be a bit more cautious this year; the price of everything going up makes the budget a little stricter. Plus we are going to CO in the fall, so I have to save a little space for that. If I’m having trouble deciding on things I might have to post some pictures and ask for input…
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I love this! This sounds like a great idea and a wonderful surprise for your wife. I haven’t been to Cherokee in a few years, but next time we get to the mountains, maybe we’ll head that way… we’re in North Carolina.
I have not had the honor yet to get a nice Native American made belt. Always on the lookout, though!
My husband does not understand my love of jewelry. I love Native American stuff and silver, which is much cheaper (sometimes!) but my husband doesn’t seem to know the difference! I also love the more expensive stuff…precious gems and gold… but I inherited so many nice pieces from my mother that I have not really pursued collecting that any further. He also continually ask me how much I need…how come I’m always on the lookout for more and “can’t be satisfied with what I have”. I’ve always tried to explain that it’s never been an issue of greed and can’t get enough! 
Jewelry is just one of those things that is so varied that you could always be interested in picking up something new and beautiful (that, and it does not take up that much room to store!). Everything is just so different and unique! I can’t not look at it when I see it, and I love the design and color and sparkle, and I’m just a sucker for pretty rocks. Of course I could always use a new piece! Hahaha.
One thing that I have definitely stopped doing is wasting any money on costume jewelry. Although I certainly have a few costume pieces… most of them vintage… I’d rather sink my money into quality. It’s interesting how much good quality costume jewelry costs… in some cases, as much as a real piece, yet it is highly unlikely that it will appreciate in value, or last.
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Wow! That’s going to make her an awesome gift! 
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I wish I was going, too! Hopefully I can make it there one year. I did just go the the show at the Autry Museum of the West in L.A. which was fun. From what I can tell the Autry and the Eiteljorg are similarly sized shows and a few artists mentioned that the Eiteljorg was the next stop for them. And I would love to see pictures and help you spend your money!
As for the price, once you start getting to the really high end NA stuff you are definitely not saving any money over gold and diamonds. Especially the NA work in gold which is often just as heavy as the silver bracelets except in gold. Then there’s the really really old stuff, or jewelry by the masters. Did you see this NYT article that features a set by Raymond Yazzie that’s for sale for $500,000? That would buy you a lot of gold and diamonds.
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Ask a man the same question regarding his toys such as guns, tools, etc. Hmmm 
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I’m glad you got to go to that; I have heard about it. I hope you found some amazing things! Your pic from the patio at the place in Joshua Tree was lovely. I hope to go there someday. Other than a dip down into northern CA to see the redwoods, I haven’t been there since I was a child.
I hadn’t seen the article, amazing! I guess I feel like in what I can afford, my money goes farther in buying beautiful unique Native pieces as vs. what I see in non native diamond/gold stuff, if that makes any sense. But, I can look at the high end things and appreciate them, and be glad the work is valued so highly.
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Since my hubby doesn’t wear jewelry besides his wedding ring, I just tell him I’m buying enough to cover for both of us😆 Fortunately he gets that it’s also kind of a hobby for me; something I enjoy spending time learning about. But if I lived in the southwest…well then I would need a budget for sure.
Sorry @markyboy57 if your post got highjacked a bit. I guess it has made us appreciate what you are doing for your wife; what an amazing gift.
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To be fair, you said you prefer turquoise and silver to gold and diamonds, and then I referenced a Native American set with gold and diamonds, so I was kind of cheating. But yes, I completely agree with you: your money goes so much further buying handmade NA jewelry than your typical mass produced gold and diamond jewelry. It’s handmade, unique, frequently one of a kind, and has a real connection to people, culture, history, and the earth. And I like supporting living artists and helping them to keep their history and art forms alive. You don’t get all that from a gold necklace at the mall. All that’s not to say I don’t like some gold and diamonds too 
. And @Xtina I completely agree about costume jewelry. It’s mind blowing how much costume jewelry from some of the luxury brands costs. I think maybe we’ve discussed on here before.
@Ziacat thanks for your comments on my trip! Joshua Tree was lovely and it was fun to go to the Autry show. I was actually trying really hard not to buy anything at all but I failed and bought one pair of earrings. I’m trying to save up for Santa Fe Market in August and possibly another large purchase in my future.
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Oh, the Santa Fe Indian Market! In my dreams! Although now that I have an nephew in Albuquerque I really should try to go someday. Just seems like the timing is bad for my work schedule.
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Yes, you should definitely go! You would love it. Combine it with a trip to visit your nephew and make it work!
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I would love to see your earrings, if you wouldn’t mind sharing them. It’s fun to see what things people fall in love with.
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Sure! I have to photograph them first
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Hi! Did you ever get those beautiful Conchos on leather? If so I’d love to see!
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