(As these prices are already very low, we do NOT offer wholesale prices
or discounts)
Nothing else is needed - no name, no address, no nuthin'
else, and we share this with NO ONE!
Native American Jewelry, Old Pawn
Indian Turquoise Jewelry
The items seen on our Old Pawn web pages would have a long, probably sad,
story to tell if they had the ability to tell us their history. In
times past, the people of this area made, wore, and treasured their
turquoise jewelry as not only a thing of adornment, a protector of good health,
but also as portable wealth. They still do so - the lucky ones. Not
having ready access to banks, or cash money, this turquoise jewelry
would often serve as the family "reserve" or "emergency" fund. Also,
the turquoise is thought of as a healing and protecting agent.
In times of need, this turquoise jewelry could be easily used as
security with an authorized trader (pawned) for cash to meet the current
crisis. Then, when the crops came in, or the sheep were shorn - or
whatever - the turquoise jewelry could be redeemed and take its place
back in the family.
Unfortunately, on occasion this turquoise jewelry would not be redeemed
as planned. The lender would keep it for the agreed amount of time,
and if the loan were not paid off by the agreed date, the Pawn Shop, or Trader,
would be authorized to sell the turquoise jewelry.
And, often, when the elders of the family die, the items are pawned, and
the money is divided up within the family. Us other Americans do basically
the same thing, except we call it "Probate" and a large part may go to some
lawyer somewhere.
That's where we enter the picture. We scour these pawn shops on
and near the Reservations to find these items. From our Trading Post
to Window Rock (on the Navajo Reservation), to Zuni Pueblo (on the Zuni
Reservation), and back home, is a 827 mile round trip. It's not an
easy thing. The miles are over twisty mountian roads, or desolate
deserts in this part of the world. At the same time, we
feel deeply for those who have lost their treasures.
There is no doubt that many of the items shown here have been the pride of
some family in years gone past. It has been worn in ceremonials, family
gatherings, in times of joy, and in times of sorrow. Some has been
sold, stolen, pawned, loved, inherited, lost, found, given, cherished,
gambled for, gambled with, and taken away. Whatever the reason, it
has left the family where it was loved and treasured. We only hope
that whoever buys it from these web pages can appreciate its worth, not only
for what it is, but for what it represents. And, who knows? Maybe
- just maybe - the turquoise jewelry survived and the family did
not. What a story it could tell . . . . . . . .
When we find this turquoise jewelry, and buy it, we can't help but think
about its history. The mystery surrounding it. These are not "tourist
trap items", nor cheap imports. These were part of someone's life.
Somehow, we handle it a little more carefully. We don't polish
it - we don't remove the signs of wear - the signs of use. It
really meant something, to someone. We hope that it means something
special to that someone who finally ends up with it. Maybe that
someone is you - then again - maybe . . . . . . . .
Enough of this idle speculation. Let's see
the jewelry!!
Register for Ugly Otter Trading Post e-mail
updates. Just type your e-mail address in the
Form line. Simple. Hassle free! If you ever want to un-join
for any gosh-awful reason, you can do that, too!
Nothing else is needed - no name, no address, no nuthin'
else, and we share this with NO ONE!
"CLICK HERE TO READ OUR PRIVACY
STATEMENT"
Yes! We proudly accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, Money
Orders, and good Personal Checks. No! We do not accept Pay-Pal,
sorry.
Our (Your) Guarantee
Our "NO QUIBBLE GUARANTEE" protects you. No hassles,
guilt trips, silly questionnaires, and absolutely no BS! If you do not like
any merchandise purchased from us, for any reason, return it, undamaged,
within 20 days, for a full refund (this is a
refund, not a "Store Credit") of your purchase price NO QUESTIONS
ASKED - YOU ARE THE FINAL JUDGE. (see our "Terms & Conditions" page for
more details)
Turquoise Jewelry, Silver Necklaces, Kokopellis, Sterling Silver Necklaces,
Turquoise Bracelets, Bear Claw Jewelry, Southwestern Crafts, American
Indian Bracelets, Navajo Bracelets, and Indian Crafts and others are all
on this web site, just click on correct page in the index above to see them.
