Reviving Southwest Style with Dessert Pearls Popularity

 Southwest style jewelry is making a comeback all across America and in other courtries as well.  The big thing with the younger crowd is something they are calling "Dessert Pearls."   

Why the new trend?  Maybe is is a natural extension of the freshwater pearl craze that was big a few years ago, because farms culturing pearls in water lost many crops during the shutdown of workforce availabilty.  Or maybe the rise in silver prices has made people more aware of these beads as they look for alternatives to the chuky precious metal chains that are another current fashon "must have" for layering.  Whatever the reason for reviving style trend toward silver beads, knowing what to look for is imprtant.  

What is the difference between the dessert pearls and tradtional Navajo or pearls?  The primary difference is dessert pearls can be from any Native American/Indian tribe or industrial manufacturer and may or may not be handmade silver.  Navajo pearls are traditionally handmade and oxidized by actual members  of the Navajo tribe of Native Americans.  If dessert pearls are handmade by another tribe, they will usually call them by their own tribe name instead of using the generic term of dessert pearls.  To see the difference between manufactured silver bead/pearls watch the TikTok video by a bead artist at Black Wolfe White Wolfe Designs.  To learn more about the different "cowgirl styles" and sizes of silver beads, watch the TikTok video by a bead distributor from Tin and Turquoise, in Canada?! 

Are there more southwest jewelry options than plain dessert pearls?  Another great bead option for southwest style is "Liquid Silver,"  which offers a more eligant or delicate look to southwest style depending on the number of strands and the necklace leangth.  Taking southwest style past just a silver beaded necklace  means adding a pendant or purchasing a ready-made native style.  The "Squash Blossom" necklace is also making a huge comeback.  Squash Blossoms are fluted trumpet-shaped silver (with or without stones) extended out from dessert pearls.  These flutes are named after the sideview of blossoms on squash plants.   Most of the blossom necklace will include a large center pendant that usually is a horseshoe-shape known as the "Naja."  For this reason, some people may refer to the necklace as a naja because of the shape, but a naja necklace does not have to have blossoms on it.  The naja pendant may be all silver or also have inset stones, often turquoise or shell are the most popular stone choices.  Although some blossom necklaces may have a "Concho" or Cross as their focal-point, these are usually stationary or separate pendants on dessert pearls, liquid silver, silver chains, or stone beads.  Conchos usually are oval shaped, but may be round too.  Conchos may be silver with a stamped design, be a large stone set in a small silver frame, have a smaller stone in the center of silver design, or be a circular pattern of stones set to resemble the top of a flower or the rays of the sun.

Where is the best place to buy southwest style jewelry?  For authentic Native American jewelry, it is best to buy from artisans at tribal locations.  Alternatively, do a search the internet for "Native American Jewelry" and then read the about section to verify the site belongs to a Pueblo, Tribe, or Collective.  Since everything is handmade and usually one-of-a-kind, expect to pay laot.  Buying from TV shipping channels is typically a lower cost option, as the jewelry peices may by handmade but made in multiples.  HSN offers Chaco Canyon , which is a collective from New Mexico.  HSN also offers Mine Finds by Jay King of New Mexico, who has a modern twist on Southwest bead designs. QVC offers an American West line also from New Mexico.  JTV has a lower-priced southwest inspired line that is manufactured in India.

Jewelry is just one part of the current southwest fashion trend.  Cowgirl and cowboy style is in again!  Not just jewelry but boots and hats are being revived too.  As an extension of the USA trend - red, white, and blue patriotism clothing is surging as well.