The Pima, or Akimel O’odham, “River People” of southern Arizona, associated #turquoise with strength and healing. Pendant is #Navajo made, artist unknown.

#Citrine known for improving mental powers, aiding in self-discipline, and countering self-destructive tendencies within its owner. Earrings are vintage #Navajo, artist unknown.

#PotteryTerm: CONTRACTION - A decrease in size due to a temperature change. It should not be confused with shrinkage, which is a non-reversible occurrence.

We are CLOSED today in observance of Independence Day. Wishing everyone a fun, happy and safe holiday. Happy 4th!

While southeastern potters use a mix of hard and softwoods for the initial fire to bake pottery, in Arizona and New Mexico, where wood is more difficult to come by, potters use slabs of bark, hot burning juniper wood and cow and sheep dung. Jar by #Acoma potter Manuel Stevens.

Known to be a stone of superior serenity, #onyx harnesses the potential to wick away negative emotions and energy from its owner. Pendant by #Navajo silversmith Delbert Delgarito.

In #Zuni culture, mother-of-pearl represents imagination, intuition, sensitivity, adaptability, and decision-making. Earrings are Zuni made, artist unknown.

"You can’t wake a person who is pretending to be asleep." -Navajo #NativeAmerican Proverb

Various birds and floral patterns are painted along the body of this impressive "basket bottom" jar by #SantoDomingo potter Ambrose Atencio. palmstrading.com/shop/new-item/…

Did You Know...? #Larimar is a rare blue variety of pectolite found only in the Dominican Republic. Cuff bracelet is #Navajo made, artist unknown.

#FunFact: #Navajo shepherds used #turquoise beads to protect them from storms. Pendant by Navajo silversmith Darrin Livingston.

The rain parrot is a popular design motif in Pueblo pottery, particularly that of #Acoma Pueblo, representing the Pueblo people’s reverence for rain and water. Jar by Acoma potter Beverly Garcia.

The #Hopis believe Kachina spirits enable them to live in harmony with nature, ensuring rain, crops, fertility, and good hunting. Warrior Mouse kachina doll by Hopi/Laguna carver Ray Jose.

It was not until 1977 that #Charoite was scientifically identified as a mineral and gemstone, and was named Charoite after the Chara river, which is the only place in the world it is found . Cuff bracelet by #Navajo silversmith Leslie Nez.

Did You Know...? Storytellers are a type of clay figure that is unique to the Southwest. Storyteller figurine by #Jemez potter Angie Loretto.

There are 23 #NativeAmerican tribes located in New Mexico: 19 Pueblos, three Apache tribes (the Fort Sill Apache Tribe, the Jicarilla Apache Nation and the Mescalero Apache Tribe), and the Navajo Nation.

Sandcast sterling silver and a vibrant light blue turquoise piece combine to form this impressive and unique cuff bracelet by #Navajo silversmith Harrison Bitsue. palmstrading.com/shop/native-am…

Traditional #Cochiti pottery has a white slip painted with flowers, animals and geometric designs in red and black although today Cochiti potters are better known for painted figurines. Friendship jar by Cochiti potter Vangie Suina.

#Moonstone is said to be a uniquely expressive stone, known for its emotional attunement and balance. Ring is #Navajo made, artist unknown.

The making of pottery involves shaping clay and then heating it at very high temperatures in order to harden it, though exactly where and when this technique was first conceived is unknown. Jar by #SantaClara potter Sharon Naranjo Garcia.