How To Authenticate Turquoise Native American Jewelry
It
is unfortunate that there is a lot of fake Native American turquoise jewelry
out there. There is naturally going to be imitators as Native American designs
and products are becoming popular. The harsh reality is that the jewelry that
is made overseas in factories doesn’t even come close to the quality, beauty
and craftsmanship that has made the authentic jewelry from Native Americans.
The following guide will help you authenticate genuine jewelry from Native
Americans before buying it.
Price
It
is good to be a skeptic in the jewelry world. When you find jewelry that is too
cheap, you should think twice before buying. Authentic jewelry from Native
Americans is handmade and needs a great deal of effort, time and skill. With
all these in mind, it is crucial that artisans are compensated for their hard
work accordingly. A low price shouldn’t automatically mean that it is not
genuine Native American jewelry but it should be a warning flag.
The magnet test
Native
American artisans take pride in the materials they use. This may not be the
universal truth but most authentic jewelry from southwest American Indians is
crafted with sterling silver. It is common knowledge that silver does not
magnetize. If you hold a magnet close to the piece and realize that the jewelry
is responding to the magnet, it is probably a silver plated piece and this
should be a red flag.
The quality of the stone
The
law requires dealers to disclose whether the Native American turquoise jewelry stone is stabilized or natural.
Stones that are natural are more desirable options and they will generally cost
more in their unaltered state. However, stones that are stabilized are becoming
common as turquoise mining is reducing in many parts of the world. Natural
turquoise is a sign that you have an authentic piece of jewelry.

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