Navajo Pearls

Authentic Sterling Silver Navajo Pearls

Navajo Pearls are one of those pieces of jewelry that just work.

Wear them by themselves. Add a turquoise pendant. Layer three different lengths together. Throw them on with denim and boots or wear them with something a little more dressed up.

They have been part of Western and Native American jewelry for generations, and there is a reason they never really go out of style.

At Dakota Sky Stone, we offer a wide selection of genuine sterling silver Navajo Pearls backed by more than 55 years of working directly with Native American artists and silversmiths.

Our strands are made from genuine sterling silver and hand-strung by Native American artists. We carry everything from small, easy-to-layer pearls to larger statement beads, along with different lengths that make it easy to build a collection that feels like your own.

And if you're new to Navajo Pearls, don't overthink it.

Start with the strand you know you'll wear the most. The rest usually seems to follow.

Are Navajo Pearls Real?

One of the questions we hear most often is, “Are these real Navajo Pearls?”

Usually what someone is really asking is how the sterling silver beads were made.

There are two main styles you'll see: bench-made Navajo Pearls and machine-formed sterling silver Navajo Pearls.

We carry both.

Our standard strands are machine-formed genuine sterling silver beads that are then hand-strung by Navajo artists. This type of construction is especially common in smaller bead sizes where creating consistent beads entirely by hand requires an incredible amount of time and precision.

They are still genuine sterling silver and give you that timeless Navajo Pearl look at a more accessible price point.

We also carry bench-made Navajo Pearls that are individually handcrafted by Native silversmiths. Each bead requires substantially more handwork. The silver is shaped, soldered, finished and often oxidized individually before the strand is assembled.

That extra time and craftsmanship is reflected in the price.

Both are genuine sterling silver Navajo Pearls.

The biggest difference is how the beads are made and how much individual hand craftsmanship goes into each one.

We carry both because we don't believe there has to be one right answer. You may want an easy strand you can wear every day, a bench-made piece you collect for years, or a little bit of both.

What Size Navajo Pearls Should I Buy?

Bead size can completely change the look of Navajo Pearls.

Smaller beads have a lighter, more delicate feel and are some of our favorites for everyday wear and layering. Larger pearls have more presence and can become the statement piece all on their own.

You'll often see Navajo Pearls ranging from approximately 3mm through 12mm and larger, depending on the style.

3mm–4mm Navajo Pearls are subtle and easy to layer. They work beautifully with a small turquoise pendant or alongside other necklaces without overpowering them.

5mm–6mm Navajo Pearls are those really versatile middle sizes. They still layer easily but have enough silver to stand out when worn alone.

8mm–12mm and larger Navajo Pearls make much more of a statement. These sizes are beautiful worn alone, paired with a larger pendant or mixed with smaller beads to create contrast.

If you're building your first Navajo Pearl collection, you don't have to choose all one size either.

We actually love mixing them.

A smaller strand beside a larger one gives your layers texture and keeps everything from looking too perfectly matched.

Choosing the Right Navajo Pearl Necklace Length

Length matters almost as much as bead size.

The easiest way to choose is to think about where you want the necklace to sit and how you plan to wear it.

14–16 inch Navajo Pearls sit closer to the neckline and are perfect when you want a shorter strand, a choker-style look or the top layer in a necklace stack.

18–20 inch Navajo Pearls are our everyday lengths. They sit beautifully on their own, work with many pendants and are an easy place to start if you're buying your first strand.

22–26 inch Navajo Pearls give you more room for layering and work especially well with turquoise pendants or shorter strands above them.

28–36 inch Navajo Pearls create a longer Western look and can be incredible with larger turquoise pendants or layered with several shorter necklaces.

40 inches and longer give you even more styling options. Longer strands can often be worn long, doubled or worked into a larger layered look depending on the necklace and clasp.

There really isn't one perfect length.

It comes down to your neckline, your style and what else you plan to wear with it.

How to Style Navajo Pearls

This is where Navajo Pearls get fun.

You can make them as simple or as bold as you want.

For an everyday look, wear one strand with a white shirt, denim or a simple sweater. It doesn't need anything else.

If you love turquoise, add a pendant.

A turquoise pendant on a strand of sterling silver Navajo Pearls is one of those combinations that never gets old around here.

For layering, start with your shortest necklace and build down from there. Leave a little space between each layer so every strand has room to show.

Try mixing lengths such as a 16-inch strand, a 20-inch strand and a 24- or 26-inch strand rather than stacking several necklaces at exactly the same spot.

You can also mix bead sizes.

Maybe a smaller 3mm or 4mm strand on top, a 5mm or 6mm in the middle and a larger strand or turquoise pendant underneath.

And they do not have to match perfectly.

Actually, we usually prefer when they don't.

The best layers feel collected over time.

Can You Wear a Turquoise Pendant on Navajo Pearls?

Absolutely.

Turquoise pendants and Navajo Pearls are one of our favorite combinations.

The main thing to pay attention to is the size of the pendant bail — the opening at the top of the pendant where the necklace passes through.

A smaller bail may only fit over smaller Navajo Pearls, while a larger bail gives you more options for bead size.

If you are buying a pendant specifically to wear on Navajo Pearls, check the bail measurement along with the bead size of your necklace.

And if you're unsure whether two pieces will work together, reach out to us.

This is exactly the kind of thing we're happy to help with.

How to Layer Navajo Pearls & Turquoise

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

Start with the piece you love most and build around it.

If you have one incredible turquoise pendant, let that be the center of the look and add Navajo Pearls above or below it.

If the pearls are the statement, layer a few different lengths and bead sizes and keep everything else simple.

You can also mix Navajo Pearls with turquoise necklaces, sterling silver chains, heishi, Spiny Oyster and other stones.

The goal isn't to make everything match.

The goal is to make it look like you.

And don't save your favorite combination for something special.

Wear the good stuff on an ordinary Tuesday.

Machine-Formed vs. Bench-Made Navajo Pearls

If you're trying to decide between machine-formed and bench-made Navajo Pearls, think about how you plan to wear them and what matters most to you.

Machine-formed sterling silver Navajo Pearls give you beautiful consistency, classic styling and a more accessible way to build your collection. They're especially practical for layering because you can add multiple lengths and bead sizes without every strand becoming a major investment.

Bench-made Navajo Pearls are about the craftsmanship.

Because the beads are individually made by hand, you may see subtle variations from bead to bead. Those little differences are part of what makes handmade pieces special.

Neither one has to replace the other.

We have customers who wear their machine-formed strands every day and add one bench-made strand into the stack. Others begin with smaller everyday pearls and eventually collect larger handmade pieces.

Build it the way that works for you.

Graduated Navajo Pearls

Graduated Navajo Pearls use different bead sizes within the same necklace, usually moving from smaller beads near the clasp toward larger beads at the center.

They give you more of a statement look without requiring the entire strand to be made from larger beads.

Graduated strands are beautiful on their own and are also one of our favorite styles for turquoise pendants because the larger center beads naturally draw your eye toward the middle of the necklace.

They're also an easy way to get dimension in your jewelry without having to layer several different necklaces.

Navajo Pearl Bracelets

If you love Navajo Pearl necklaces, bracelets are one of the easiest ways to carry the same look through the rest of your jewelry.

Wear one alone, stack several bead sizes together or put them beside a turquoise cuff.

A simple Navajo Pearl bracelet next to a big turquoise cuff is one of our favorite combinations because the silver adds texture without competing with the stone.

You can mix polished and oxidized silver, small and large beads and different styles just like you would with necklaces.

Again — it doesn't have to match perfectly.

How to Clean & Care for Sterling Silver Navajo Pearls

Sterling silver naturally changes with time and wear, and many Navajo Pearl styles are intentionally oxidized to give the beads their darker, dimensional finish.

For cleaning, we recommend using a soft, fine-grade steel wool and lightly running your Navajo Pearls through it to freshen the surface of the sterling silver.

You do not need to scrub hard. A light touch is enough.

Once you're finished, wipe the strand with a clean, dry microfiber cloth to remove any remaining residue and bring back a soft shine.

We recommend avoiding harsh chemical jewelry cleaners and silver dips, especially on oxidized or antiqued Navajo Pearls, because they can remove some of the darker finish and character of the beads.

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

And remember — these are pieces meant to be worn.

A little character over the years is part of their story.

Why Navajo Pearls Have Become a Dakota Sky Stone Staple

After more than 55 years around turquoise and sterling silver jewelry, there aren't many pieces we reach for more often than Navajo Pearls.

They're timeless, but they never feel boring.

They work with turquoise without taking away from it. They can be Western without feeling like a costume. They can be simple enough for everyday wear and still hold their own beside a big statement piece.

Most importantly, they give you room to make them your own.

That's really what Dakota Sky Stone has always been about.

Finding jewelry you connect with, wearing it your way and letting those pieces become part of your story.

Whether you're buying your very first strand or adding another length to a collection you've been building for years, we're always happy to help you figure out bead size, length, layering or which pendant will work with your pearls.

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Navajo Pearls