Navajo Emerald & Pink Conch Flower Earrings by Zia

About:
These handcrafted Zia earrings pair natural emerald with pink conch in a striking floral design. Emerald, long treasured for its vivid green color and durability, brings depth and brilliance to each “petal.” At the center sits pink conch, a rare organic gem formed from the Queen Conch shell, admired for its soft blush tones and natural sheen. Together, these materials create a balance of strength and delicacy, echoing both the desert bloom and the artistry of Navajo silversmithing. Pieces like these highlight how traditional craftsmanship continues to evolve, blending classic forms with gemstones not often seen in Southwestern jewelry.

Native American History:
The production of Native American jewelry began thousands of years ago with stones, bones, coral, and shells. Natives turned these materials into wearable jewelry and traded them for other goods between tribes.
Jewelry was also a marker of status within Native American communities. Individuals of the ruling or elite class typically wore more elaborate pieces to indicate their significant place in society.
Native Americans even carved tiny beads out of shells and bones to wear as necklaces or bracelets, similar to the ones we wear today.
They wore pendants on leather strings, rings, and earrings from materials in their surrounding environment.
Much of the jewelry that is on the market today has been influenced by these early jewelry makers.