The Southwest is a land rich with stories of culture and tradition intertwined harmoniously beneath vast desert skies. The beautiful landscape has long inspired artists and creatives to dream without limits, leading to the rise of some of the most distinctive forms of art in the world, including the craft of jewelry making. Southwest style jewelry can be recognized instantly by the elaborate details in Sterling Silver and the vibrant hues of gemstones. Read on to explore your favorite timeless designs and iconic motifs!
The Horse
The horse is one of the most sacred symbols of the Southwest as it has been a part of life in this area for centuries representing strength, courage, and kinship. It also represents a metaphorical bridge between the physical and spiritual world, serving as a reminder of balance and endurance. Beyond its symbolism, the horse also represents survival, as it was essential for traveling and hunting before modern times. Learn more about the horse’s story on our other blog post. If you adore the horse but find that you relate more to the journies of other creatures and critters, explore the Spirit Stones collection to find your special connection.
Equally iconic is Turquoise, the gemstone most well-known and commonly associated with Southwestern jewelry. Revered for its luminous hues that mirror both sky and water, Turquoise embodies more than just beauty. It carries deep symbolism of protection, healing, and harmony with the Earth, which is why it has been historically used for festive cultural attire, healing ceremonies, and even traded for other valuable goods. It’s also the birthstone for December, so it may carry additionally deeper meaning for those born in that month. If you love this Spirit Horse pendant but want to find other gemstone options that have more meaning for you, we have six other options for you to explore!
Sterling Silver Half Cluster Sleeping Beauty Turquoise Lever Back Earrings
The Cluster
Cluster designs are another iconic symbol that instantly lets admirers know that your jewelry choice reflects Southwestern heritage, specifically inspiration from the Navajo and Zuni communities. The history of the cluster design dates back to the late 19th century when the Spanish introduced Native Americans to silversmithing. The clusters are intended to represent beautiful patterns in natural elements like flowers, sunbursts, and snowflakes. There is not an established symbolic meaning of clusters, but many think of them as carrying the meaning of abundance and prosperity. If you love cluster jewelry designs, AWJ is the right place for you!
While these earrings use Turquoise like with the pendant above, this specific type of Turquoise is called Sleeping Beauty Turquoise, which is known for its distinctive feature of containing no matrix lines. Learn more about the difference between Kingman Turquoise and Sleeping Beauty Turquoise
Sterling Silver White Howlite Gemstone Squash Blossom Statement Necklace
The Squash Blossom & Naja
This necklace brings together three iconic elements of Southwestern design in one captivating piece to celebrate beauty, balance, and heritage. The first element lies in the smooth Sterling Silver beads, which add depth and texture to any look. The second element is the Squash Blossom, which is a graceful form reminiscent of flowering petals of the squash plant ~ a vital crop that was harvested for centuries by the Southwestern Native communities and is still a part of the cuisine today. Squash Blossoms are symbolic of abundance, growth, and the cycles of renewal. Finally, at the heart of the design rests the Naja, which means “moon” in Navajo. The Naja’s crescent form has long been regarded as a symbol that guides people towards spiritual harmony. If you’re drawn to the sentimental meaning of the Squash Blossom & Naja, explore our collection and pick out your favorite style!
Sterling Silver Green Malachite Gemstone Concha Flower Ring
The Concha
The concha design (sometimes called concho) got its name from the Spanish word for “shell”. It’s one of the most enduring motifs of the Southwest with origins tracing back to Native tribes crafting ornate silver discs that were inspired by the saddle adornments used by Spanish and Mexican explorers. The design was first strung onto leather belts to create concho belts. However, as artistry evolved, the design began to grace bracelets, necklaces, earrings, rings, and pendants with patterns that can only be described as radiant. This concha ring from AWJ carries the same spirit and appreciation for the history of the Southwest. If you love an accessory that offers intricate detailing, this is the perfect piece for you. Explore the many gemstone options available and get one for every new outfit!
More About Southwest Style Jewelry from AWJ
Our story began right in the heart of the Southwest in New Mexico, and we are proud of our heritage. Our designs honor the many men and women from Native, Spanish, and Mexican communities who helped shape the culture and way of life here in Santa Fe, where our jewelry is designed. We also partner with renowned Navajo artist Fritz Casuse, who designs pieces inspired by his own journey. Explore his designs for iconic motifs like feathers and arrowheads!