What do you mean by bracelet circumference?

Hi Paula,
I’m looking at your Hopi cuff bracelets. What do you mean by circumference?  –measurement of bracelet end-to-end, or –measurement including the gap, as if it was a circle?
I need a cuff bracelet that’s 5″ end-to-end, or just a little bigger.
Thanks,
Carol

Hi Carol,

Circumference is the perimeter of a circle or the outside boundary of a circle.

When fitting a cuff bracelet, you are comparing two circles: your wrist and the bracelet.

The wrist circle is the measurement (in inches) taken with a flexible tape measure around the portion of your wrist where you want to wear the bracelet.

The bracelet circle is the total circumference. Total circumference refers to the total circular measurement: the end to end measurement (taken on the inside of the cuff bracelet) + the gap. That approximates the circumference of the wrist that the bracelet is to fit.

Most gaps are 1 – 1 1/4″ so to find a bracelet to fit you (you said you want one 5″ end to end) you would look at bracelets in the 6 to 6 1/4″ total circumference range as you likely have a 6 to 6 1/4″ wrist.

Paula

More Heishi Fit Notes – Choosing the Correct Length

When buying heishi necklaces, first you need to know how the artist or seller measures their heishi necklaces.

Many heishi makers sell their heishi by length of material used, so 19″ of turquoise heishi might be sold as 19″ …………but with a hook and eye and the bit of slack incorporated in the necklace to make it hang right, the actual necklace wearing length might be closer to 19 3/4″.

For chokers especially, each of us has a particular length we like to wear that suits our physique and clothing necklines. That’s when measurement become particularly important.

Here at horsekeeping, we measure from the tip of the hook to the eye on the other end. That represents the actual end-to-end wearing length.

This results in most thin to medium heishi fitting well……..

but when you are purchasing very thick heishi, necklaces that are 3/8″ thick or more, you should compensate and purchase a necklace that is 1/4″ to 3/4″ longer than your usual length. That’s because the thicker heishi sits away from your neck so some of the end-to-end length is taken up to make the circle around your neck.

The same principle applies to Navajo Pearls. If you wear an 18″ 4mm silver bead necklace, when buying a 14 mm necklace, you might need almost a 19″ long if you want it to sit in the same place on your neckline.

We provide measurements. The best way to get a good fit is to measure a similar necklace you already have that fits you well and compare it to the measurements indicated for the item.

Here’s to beautiful, well-fitting heishi !

Paula

Pendant loop too small for leather choker – what do I do?

Hi Paula,

Perhaps you can help out a fetish newbie. A few weeks back I bought from your website a black bear pendant and a leather necklace to put it on.

I’ve found the loop on the bear is too small to fit over the clasp on the necklace. I don’t want to return either one, but any suggestions? Should I take it to a jeweler? Try to flatten the loop to make it a little bigger? I sure don’t want to damage it. Or perhaps buy a different chain? How would I know that one would fit? I plan to eventually make a necklace of several fetishes that have special meaning for me, and I guess I need some help before I start.

I would appreciate any directions or suggestions you could give me.

Thanking you in advance,
Linda

Hi Linda,

First of all, any time your purchase something from us, feel free to ask ahead of time if a certain bead necklace, for example, will go through the bail of a pendant you are looking at. We can always check that out for you. For most pendants and necklaces we list the size of the bail on the pendant and the diameter (or thickness) of the necklace so you can get a pretty good idea.

The pendant you purchased was shown with a sterling silver round omega which would work very well with it as would most chains.

Also we have some very small, 5mm, antiqued beads that could work.

And yes, you could take your bear pendant to a jeweler who could gently heat and open up or otherwise reshape the heavy wire loop.

Paula

Will this Bracelet Fit?

Hi Paula,

I love the bracelet # nbs351a or # nbs351b but I am unsure about the sizing
My wrist measures 7 inches.

I measured my bracelet and it measures 6 inches with a 1 1/4 inch opening .

Will one of these fit?

Alison

Hi Alison,

Regarding the Julia Smith Wide Repousee Cuff Bracelet

Just to clarify:
Your wrist measures 7″ around where you wear a bracelet?
And your current bracelet measures 6″ from end to end inside plus a 1 1/4″ opening for a total of 7 1/4″ inches?

If that is correct, then these bracelets which measure 6 3/8″ and 6 5/8″ (that is the total INCLUDING the gap)…would be too small.

I have a 6 7/8″ wrist and just tried to put on NBS351B and it was too small (which is logical since it is 6 5/8″) ………..I usually wear a 6 3/4″ to 6 7/8″ bracelet.

You need to look for bracelets in the 7″ section which is here.

7″ refers to the total size, which is usually about the same size as your wrist.

The bracelets are arranged on the page in the order of size….so once you get to 6 7/8″ just look at everything from there on down the page………..
let me know if you have any other questions.

Also, note that when you purchase a very wide cuff like the Repousse bracelets, you need to get a slightly larger bracelet than if you buy a skinny one………the wider cuffs cover more of your wrist and arm so need to be a little bit bigger……

Paula

Navajo Pearls – Why are the heavier beads less expensive?

Good morning Paula,

I am interested in your Navajo Pearl necklaces. I was wondering why the Lilian Yazzie 16-10 mm graduated necklace (BD757) costs $345 @68 grams while her 20 inch 9mm necklace @55grams costs over $100 more (priced at $460)?  Lori

Navajo Sterling Silver Beads by Lily Yazzie
Graduated 10mm – 16mm
Stamped; Adjustable; 68 grams; $345

Navajo Sterling Silver Beads by Lily Yazzie
Stamped; 9mm; 20″; 55 grams
$460

Hi Lori,

Good question and not the first time someone has asked.

Our prices are really dictated by what the artist asks for at item and it will be based on WHEN we bought an item.

So some items we purchased 3 years ago will be less expensive than the same or an even “lesser” (weight) item item today based on the silver price.

The only time we raise prices is when we go to replenish our supply of a certain item and the artist has raised their price since the last time we purchased from them.

We like to leave items at their “old prices” so people can find bargains. You’ll see what I mean if you visit either the silver or stone bracelet pages – you will see some bracelets between $100 and $200 that we bought several years ago and we’ve left them at their old price. On the same group page you will see similar bracelets priced over $100 more – those are the ones we bought this year !!

Thanks for the question and I hope you find some Navajo Pearls you like!!

 Paula

Necklace Extenders

Paula,

I love my 17 1/2″ silver bead necklace as a choker but sometimes I want to wear it over a collar or longer with a pendant. Do you have something I can use to make it longer?

Kary

Hi Kary,

We have a few sterling silver necklace extenders. Depending on what kind of necklace you have and how long you want to lengthen it, perhaps one of the following would be helpful.

If you have a bench bead necklace that is approximately 9mm, perhaps something like this 8 bead  extender might work. It is 3 3/4″ long.

An 8 bead 9 mm sterling silver bench bead necklace extender

We also have some chain extenders that would work with any necklace.

Sterling silver chain extender for necklaces

Some necklace come with a chain already on them. But having a separate chain extender allows you to use it with any necklace.

AND what is also very good about using a chain extender like this is that  you can make small adjustments in length to get the necklace (or pendant) to hang at just the right spot.

Native American Barrettes – Which Weight Do You Like?

When it comes to Native American barrettes, there are all styles and sizes. Many of them use a standard spring clip to fasten the embellishment to the hair. But the sterling silver barrette attached to the spring clip can vary widely in weight.

Some people like a very heavy sterling silver barrette. They might have a lot of very thick hair. Or use the barrette at the nape of the neck pulling all the hair back.

Others like a featherweight barrette. Maybe they have thin or very slick hair and don’t want the weight of the barrette to cause it to lose its grip and slip down. Or perhaps they use one barrette on each side or to just pull part of the hair back.

Whatever the reason, we all have our personal preferences and uses for barrettes and it is good to know that there are choices available. Take, for example, the popular large feather barrette.

Both of these barrettes are set on the same 2 1/2″ long spring clip.

2 1/2″ long spring clip

This substantial feather barrette, by Navajo Carson Blackgoat, is 4 1/8″ long and weighs 25 grams.

Heavy Sterling Silver Feather Barrette by Carson Blackgoat, Navajo

This lighter version by Navajo artist Milton Vandever is 3 1/4″ long and weighs 13 grams.

Lightweight Sterling Silver Feather Barrette by Milton Vandever, Navajo

Which barrette do you prefer?

How do I choose a Native American Sterling Silver Collar?

Hello Paula,

Do you ever make collars with multiple stones in the application? Such as turquoise or coral perhaps? Is there super special care needed? I recently measured my neck down low and got a measurable of 13 1/2 -14 inches. How do I determine a proper fit? I am really interested in adding a collar to my Native American pieces, but know nothing at all about them. I think I would really like to wear this type of piece.

Thank you for your time,  Barbara

Stamped Sterling Silver V Collar by Navajo artist, Gerald Bitsie with Whitewater Turquoise Pendant

Hi Barbara,

We don’t make anything here – we represent the work of hundreds of NA artists.The collars we have are shown on our Collar Page

I have seen collar necklaces with stones – they are decorated neck-shaped sterling silver panels suspended from chains.

With the one-piece collars, like the ones we carry, it would be difficult to make such an item without the stones falling out from putting on and taking off the collar. (The flexion of the collar would loosen the stones.)

As far as fit, it would depend on the shape of the collar and where you want the collar to sit – tight around your neck or down an inch or two.The best way to know is try on a collar somewhere, look in a mirror and then measure the one you like the best as far as fit.

For example, I wore  the plain collar pictured below to work today with a large feather pendant.  I usually wear a 17″ chain or omega so this collar fits me perfectly. It sits about an inch below my neck and a 3″ long feather pendant hangs perfectly in the V of my V Neck Tee.

Plaiin Sterling Silver Collar by Navajo Elaine Tahe

We try to give you an approximate equivalent for each collar so you can compare it to the length of chain you like.

This braided collar is the smallest one we’ve ever had in the store.

Braided Sterling Silver Collar by Navajo Kenny Tahe

Best of luck in your collar search !

Sterling Silver Collars

Santa Brought us Matching Nelvin Burbank Turquoise Spike Bracelets for Christmas

I fell in love with these bracelets when I first saw them but wondered if hubby would like so many stones…

Would he think it was too fancy, too risky to wear banging into stuff……..or would he think of them like I did – super cool “Spike” bracelets.

Well, I decided to take a chance and what a hit ! He LOVES his and we’ve been wearing them non-stop ever since Santa slid down the chimney.

Huge, big time treasures !!

 

Matching Nelvin Burbank Sterling Silver and Turquoise Bracelets

These honeys are fully stamped on the inside and on the outside ends.

Sterling Silver and Turquoise Bracelets by Nelvin Burbank, Navajo

 

Wow is all I can say.

Several of you were wondering about what I was going to give hubby but I didn’t want to spoil the surprise so didn’ t want to post the photos until now.

What do you think?

Native American Belt Buckles – Fitting Width of Belt

Dear Friends

Could you please let me know if you have buckles to fit a 2 inch wide belt?

Many Thanks

Karl from London, UK

Hi Karl,

That’s a good question and there are several points that will help you find the perfect fit for your belt and adapt if you have a belt or buckle you absolutely love but there’s a width issue.

First of all, most Native American artists purchase standard buckle back and peg kits. While the buckles themselves are usually made of Sterling Silver, the buckle back kits are made from nickel silver. “Nickel Silver” or “German Silver” has no silver in it at all. It does have a silver color to it but no silver. It is made of an alloy of copper, zinc, and nickel.

Buckle backs are available in 1/2″ increments from 1/2″ to 2″ BUT a 2″ buckle back really only will accommodate a 1 3/4″ belt because of the room that is taken up by the hinges.

Buckle Back and Peg Kits

So unless a particular artist hand makes buckle backs, the vast majority of Native American made buckles would fit belts up to 1 3/4″. It is not uncommon for a belt to be listed as “fits 2″ belt”  because the seller measures the buckle back on the outside or even the inside up at the top. But when you measure between the hinges you will come up with a smaller dimension. Several years ago we tested the buckles on our own belts and saw that a 1 3/4″ buckle back measures closer to 1 1/2″  between the hinges, so really only will accept a 1 1/2″ belt.

That’s why we report the actual width between the hinges.

But there can be a similar discrepancy with belts too. For example, we custom ordered belts last year for ourselves asking for 1 3/4″ and the belts came in at 1 5/8″ and we were told that was pretty normal. So we started measuring belts and found that the actual width is often 1/16″ to 1/4″ narrower than the described width.

With that said, let’s say you bought a big buckle like this one

LARGE belt buckle

It is a whopping 4″ x 2 3/4″. But let’s say the seller didn’t specify what size belt it would fit. When you received it, you found that it only accommodated a 1 1/4″ belt !! Yikes !!

SMALL buckle back

You were expecting to be able to use it with your 2″ wide belt.

Well here are some adaptations you can consider. You can taper (or have a leathersmith do this for you) the end of your belt where it attaches to the buckle from 2″ to 1 1/2″ so it will fit the narrower buckle back. That takes care of one end of the belt.

To adapt the other end, you can change the way you buckle your belt. The normal way is to pass the tail of the belt through the buckle back.

Normal way of buckling - passing the tail of the belt through the buckle back.

Normally buckled belt

Instead, pass the tail end behind the rest of the belt – that is, closer to the waistband of your jeans. That way, the tail of the belt can be wider than the buckle back because it does not pass through it.

 

Passing the tail end of the belt BEHIND the rest of the belt.

 

Alternative way to buckle

Because buckle backs are hinged, when you use this alternative method, you can fold the hinge down which will lower the profile of the buckle and help to lock the belt in its fastened position.

I hope this has helped. Whenever purchasing a belt, it is good to double check on the width of both your belt and the width between the hinges of the belt back.  Best of luck.