Navajo Pearl Necklaces

Sterling Silver Navajo Pearl Necklaces

There are a few pieces of jewelry we believe belong in almost every collection, and a great strand of Navajo Pearls is one of them.

They're classic. They're easy to wear. And somehow they can be completely understated one day and the start of a big turquoise stack the next.

At Dakota Sky Stone, Navajo Pearls have become one of our everyday staples. We wear them alone, layer different lengths and bead sizes, add turquoise pendants, mix them with stone necklaces and build entire looks around them.

That's the beauty of Navajo Pearls.

There isn't just one way to wear them.

Our Navajo Pearl necklaces are made from genuine sterling silver, and we carry both machine-formed and traditional bench-made styles so you can choose the craftsmanship, bead size, length and price point that work best for you.

What Are Navajo Pearls?

Navajo Pearls are sterling silver beads associated with generations of Navajo silversmithing and Southwestern jewelry traditions.

Today you'll find Navajo Pearl necklaces made in different ways, from completely bench-made beads handcrafted one at a time to machine-formed sterling silver beads that offer a more consistent shape and accessible everyday option.

At Dakota Sky Stone, we carry both.

Our standard Navajo Pearl necklaces use genuine sterling silver machine-formed beads and are hand-strung by Navajo artists.

We also carry traditional bench-made Navajo Pearls handcrafted by Native silversmiths, where individual beads are formed, soldered and finished by hand.

Both give you that unmistakable sterling silver Navajo Pearl look.

The difference is how they're made and the amount of hand craftsmanship involved.

Are Navajo Pearls Real Sterling Silver?

Ours are.

When customers ask us whether Navajo Pearls are “real,” they're usually asking one of two things: whether the beads are genuine sterling silver or whether they're handmade.

Those are actually two different questions.

A Navajo Pearl necklace can be made from genuine sterling silver even when the beads themselves are machine-formed.

Our standard strands are made with genuine sterling silver beads and hand-strung by Navajo artists. Our bench-made strands take the process even further, with individual beads handcrafted by Native silversmiths.

We believe in being clear about that difference.

You should know what you're buying.

Bench-Made vs. Machine-Formed Navajo Pearls

This is probably one of the biggest questions we get about Navajo Pearls.

Machine-formed Navajo Pearls begin with sterling silver beads formed with machinery for consistency in shape and size. Our standard machine-formed strands are then hand-strung by Navajo artists.

They're a beautiful option for everyday wear and make it easier to build a collection of different bead sizes and necklace lengths.

Bench-made Navajo Pearls require much more handwork.

Individual sterling silver beads are formed, soldered and finished by hand by Native silversmiths. That process takes significantly more time, which is reflected in the craftsmanship and price.

You may also see more subtle variation from bead to bead in a bench-made strand.

We love both.

One doesn't have to replace the other.

You might start with an everyday machine-formed strand and someday add a bench-made necklace to your collection — or wear the two together.

What Size Navajo Pearls Should I Buy?

Bead size makes a big difference in how a Navajo Pearl necklace looks.

Smaller beads give you a lighter, more delicate look. Larger beads have much more presence.

Around Dakota Sky Stone, you'll find Navajo Pearls in a wide range of bead sizes, and there really isn't one “best” size.

3mm–4mm Navajo Pearls are subtle and easy to layer. They're a great choice if you want sterling silver without a heavy look.

5mm–6mm Navajo Pearls are some of the most versatile sizes. They have enough presence to wear alone but still layer beautifully with turquoise and other strands.

8mm and larger Navajo Pearls give you more of a statement. They're beautiful worn alone and even better when mixed with smaller bead sizes.

If you're not sure where to start, think about how you normally wear jewelry.

If you like simple, start smaller.

If you're usually reaching for the biggest turquoise ring in the case, you probably already know where this is going.

What Length Navajo Pearl Necklace Should I Buy?

Length changes the entire look of a Navajo Pearl necklace, which is why we love having more than one.

14–16 inch Navajo Pearls sit closer to the neck and work beautifully as chokers or the shortest layer in a necklace stack.

18–20 inch Navajo Pearls are our easy everyday lengths. If you're buying your first strand and want something you'll reach for constantly, this is a great place to start.

22–26 inch Navajo Pearls give you more room for layering and can be especially useful with pendants.

28–36 inch Navajo Pearls create a longer line and work beautifully as the finishing layer in a bigger necklace stack.

40 inches and longer give you even more styling options and make a statement all on their own.

There isn't one right length.

The best length is the one that works with how you actually dress and layer your jewelry.

How to Layer Navajo Pearl Necklaces

This is where Navajo Pearls get really fun.

You can keep everything the same bead size and simply change the necklace lengths, or mix bead sizes for more dimension.

Try a smaller 3mm or 4mm strand close to the neck, add a 5mm or 6mm everyday length and finish with a larger or longer strand.

Or skip the formula completely.

Mix a Navajo Pearl necklace with turquoise, heishi, a stone necklace or a pendant you've owned for years.

The best layers feel collected over time.

They don't need to look like you bought an entire matching set on the same day.

Around here, we'd rather see a piece from your grandmother, something you found on a trip and your newest turquoise necklace all living together.

The goal isn't to make everything match.

The goal is to make it look like you.

Can You Put a Turquoise Pendant on Navajo Pearls?

Absolutely.

A turquoise pendant on sterling silver Navajo Pearls is one of our favorite combinations.

The biggest thing to check is the pendant bail — the opening where the necklace passes through.

The bail needs to be large enough to slide over the bead size on your Navajo Pearl necklace.

A pendant that fits over a 3mm strand may not fit over an 8mm strand.

If you're shopping Dakota Sky Stone and aren't sure whether one of our pendants will fit a particular Navajo Pearl necklace, reach out.

We're happy to check it for you before you order.

How to Wear Navajo Pearls with Turquoise

There really aren't a lot of rules around here.

Wear one strand of Navajo Pearls with a statement turquoise ring.

Add a turquoise pendant.

Layer three different pearl lengths with one stone necklace.

Mix them with Kingman, Golden Hills, Royston, Sleeping Beauty, White Buffalo, Sonoran or whatever stone you're drawn to.

You can also carry the look down into your bracelets by mixing Navajo Pearl bracelets with sterling silver and turquoise cuffs.

Sometimes you want one great strand and a white shirt.

Sometimes you want all of it.

There's room for both.

Graduated Navajo Pearl Necklaces

Graduated Navajo Pearls use smaller beads toward the back of the necklace and gradually increase in size toward the center.

We love graduated strands because they naturally draw the eye toward the center of the necklace and give you a little more impact without making the entire strand the same larger bead size.

They look beautiful alone, but they can also become the center layer in a larger necklace stack.

If you're choosing between a uniform strand and a graduated strand, it really comes down to the look you love.

A uniform strand is classic and clean.

A graduated strand gives you a little more drama.

Navajo Pearls for Everyday Wear

One reason Navajo Pearls have become such a staple for us is that you don't have to save them for a special occasion.

A simple sterling silver strand works with denim, a T-shirt, a button-down, a dress or just about anything else you already own.

They're the kind of jewelry you can put on without thinking too hard about it.

And then leave them on while you add everything else.

We have never believed the good jewelry should spend its life sitting in a box.

Wear the good stuff on an ordinary Tuesday.

Do Navajo Pearls Tarnish?

Yes. Genuine sterling silver naturally tarnishes over time.

That's normal.

The darker, oxidized finish on many Navajo Pearls is also part of the look, so you don't necessarily want to polish every bit of darkness away.

How quickly sterling silver changes can depend on wear, moisture, storage, skin chemistry and exposure to products or chemicals.

Store your Navajo Pearls somewhere dry when you're not wearing them and keep them away from chlorine, harsh chemicals and prolonged moisture.

How We Clean Navajo Pearls at Dakota Sky Stone

For our sterling silver Navajo Pearls, one of the methods we use is soft, fine-grade steel wool.

Lightly run the pearls through the fine steel wool without scrubbing aggressively. The goal is to brighten the high points of the sterling silver without removing all of the darker oxidized detail that gives Navajo Pearls their character.

Finish by wiping the strand with a clean, dry microfiber cloth.

Avoid harsh chemical silver dips and strong jewelry cleaners, especially on Navajo Pearls with an antiqued or oxidized finish.

If your necklace includes turquoise or another natural stone, take additional care around those stones and avoid exposing them to chemicals or prolonged moisture.

Navajo Pearl Necklaces at Dakota Sky Stone

Navajo Pearls are more than a trend around here.

Our family has spent generations working directly with Native American artists and silversmiths, and sterling silver jewelry has been part of Dakota Sky Stone since the beginning.

Today we carry everything from easy everyday Navajo Pearl necklaces to specialty strands, graduated styles, bench-made pieces and necklaces mixed with turquoise and other natural stones.

We carry both machine-formed and bench-made Navajo Pearls because we believe there should be room for both.

Maybe you want a strand you can wear constantly.

Maybe you're looking for a completely bench-made piece that celebrates the silversmithing behind every bead.

Maybe, like us, you want several.

Start with the strand you'll wear.

Then build from there.

Dakota Sky Stone has been family-owned since 1971, and four generations later we're still working directly with artists, choosing pieces we believe in and helping customers build jewelry collections that become part of their own story.

Four generations. One legacy. Family-owned since 1971.

Frequently Asked Questions About Navajo Pearl Necklaces