Blue Tlingit Dangle Earrings Three colors of Blue Turquoise $34.50

“If you have learned anything at all from us wild geese,..you no longer think that humans should have the whole earth to themselves.”

Native Americans from the Bering Sea region have always believed that everything in nature is not only physical, but also has a powerful spirit. Many archeological sites show that, as early as 10,000 years ago, Paleo Native Americans were wearing earrings made from natural materials such as gemstones, abalone, walrus and mammoth ivory, found pebbles, shells, etc. These earrings were probably thought to possess special powers of protection associated with the spirit of the piece. When the Russians began to explore and trade in this region in 1740, it was natural for the natives to begin to use the new trade goods such as beads, in conjunction with their older natural materials, for jewelry such as earrings.

Our contemporary interpretation is of a pair of blue Tlingit dangle earrings which were originally made with abalone and blue dyed shell. (Note that the shimmer seen in abalone shell, pearls and in the fringes of weavings is considered a manifestation of the spiritual power of the garment or adornment.) The Tlingits, especially, began to design and wear in the Russian tradition – with freshwater pearls, mammoth and walrus ivory beads and abalone, as well as seed beads and gemstones. The forms, however, took their shapes from traditional ancient Tlingit designs.

Our Blue Tlingit Dangle Earrings are designed after a pair of Tlingit earrings unearthed in 1934. They were made with blue dyed shell, bone and turquoise. In our embodiment, Sterling Silver French earwires hold three different blues of turquoise separated by sterling silver beads.

A simple and colorful pair of earrings which you will find lots of fun to wear!

2 inch high, 1/2 inch wide.