Great input on this subject @OrbitOrange and @chicfarmer. I also look for evidence of handmade beads when I purchase any Navajo pearls or squash blossom. I also am a stickler for heavy thick silver used to make the blossoms. Nothing worse than those thin bent blossom leaves😝. @AC, I had no idea these machines existed, but it makes sense…mechanization is everywhere! What a huge difference between time intensive handmade beads and these machine made aberrations. Fortunately it seems more and more NA jewelers care about creating quality and making handmade beads.
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You can buy this style of beads made by NA artists, but they tend not to command the same prices: Navajo Sterling Silver Beaded Necklace - PuebloDirect.com
If I read your link correctly @RedlandMaggie , take machine made beads, have them strung by a NA, the necklace becomes NA made. NOT. IMHO, I think they are taking “perception is reality” a bit too far. Thanks for the reality check.
I appreciate that pueblo direct accurately describes them as “machined beads strung by a NA artist.” Many sellers don’t, which contributes to the confusion around these beads. That being said, I definitely would not consider this a Native American made necklace. I like my NA jewelry to require more skill than something I could make myself.
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I think that way regarding a number of gem beaded necklaces (the ones that don’t have sterling pearls or stamped barrels) that are NA strung together - I can pretty much do the same thing and get the same result. I am holding out for some lovely Navajo Pearls, and will pass on the machine made as you can pretty much find them everywhere.
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Looking at the prices of those on their website, I’m glad I bought a string at the Eiteljorg last summer. The artist specifically said they are handmade, they are slightly longer than the ones in the link, and only about $80 more. So worth it.
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