Shell Hair Pipe Necklace

Native jewelry has been around for a very long time. It is more than just a fashion statement due to its unique characteristics, beauty, and meaning to many people. A certain design can originate from regions that a tribe is from. Copper, ivory, silver, turquoise, bone, amber, and shells were used in beads that were easily obtained from their environment.

This particular necklace was made of shell hair pipes, wampum, and faceted black and white trade beads. Beads weren't incorporated in Native American jewelry designs until colonization and the introduction of metalworking and glass.