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Western style jewelry has many different components and design styles. Often pieces are referred to as having filigree elements, but what does this mean exactly? Filigree is a type of metal crafting where delicate threads of silver, gold or other metals are twisted and entwined into designs which resemble lace. Through braiding and curling thin, pliable metal threads together, and joining them through soldering techniques, there is no limit to what can be created with this unique style. 

This art form has been around since the early days of civilization, most notably in ancient Egypt and Persia (the Middle East). It has been found in cultures around the world throughout history. Filigree is at its core about creating something from thin metal threads, with an intricate design. This technique has been used for jewelry, to embellish manuscripts, architectural features, and even armor. When the ancient Greeks learned the craft, they began to add in gemstones to their filigree creations. 

The addition of gemstones, along with the finely tuned skill needed to craft filigree items, made these pieces a symbol of elegance, and costly for the average wearer to obtain. Filigree designs reached their peak of high fashion popularity in the early 20^th Century, when King Edward VII of England had the brilliant idea of intertwining different metals into filigree pieces. This brought more color and flare to this already specialized metal craft. 

With the modern era, filigree jewelry became more readily available with the advent of machinery which can readily mass produce pieces, making them more affordable. Filigree still exists as a hand-crafted art form though, an incredible skill for a jeweler to have. The endless design possibilities with filigree is what keeps this style of jewelry in demand today.

If you love Western Style jewelry like I do, I invite you to check out our products, West Coast Cowgirl, where you will find a wide variety of jewelry options, from classic motifs to more modern cowgirl bling. Whether you are looking for a gift for that special someone or ready to treat yourself to something new, products are added regularly so be sure to check back often. 

If there is one iconic stone which speaks volumes towards what makes Western style jewelry a specific fashion, it is turquoise. From the way it pairs with silver remarkably well, to the historical connections with America’s old west, turquoise is a stone everyone can love and appreciate. There is also a lot more to this soothing, light blue stone that you may imagine.

When it comes to wearing jewelry, we choose what we are drawn to. Many are drawn the beauty of turquoise, especially those who enjoy the romance of the old west. This gemstone is found in drier climates, so the American west is one of the best known places to find it. Turquoise can also be found as far south as Mexico and Chile, and as far east as China, Tibet and Iran. Ornamental jewelry from all of these regions features turquoise with their own style, making for a wide range of beautiful and striking designs to choose from.

The colors of turquoise vary, from pale, sky-blue to a greenish-blue and many hues in between. As a natural stone, turquoise is also affected by its surroundings. Different minerals can be seen in stones, and some will even affect the color. These differences give each region where turquoise is mined, a unique look and feel to the stones. A piece of stunning, light blue turquoise with a mosaic of black or brown minerals blooming across the surface, needs no ‘improvement” to the wow factor. Mineral variations add to this vibrant stone, and can include copper, iron and zinc.

Turquoise has long been held as a stone of protection by different cultures. Some Native Americans even used turquoise in their arrows so they would fly straight and sure. Turquoise is the birthstone for those born in December; a piece of turquoise jewelry makes and ideal birthday, or holiday gift. An important tip to know about turquoise: this soft stone can fade by too much exposure to sunlight, perfumes and cosmetics. Use a soft chamois cloth to gently cleanse your turquoise, and store in a soft pouch or jewelry box when not wearing.

If you love Western Style jewelry like I do, I invite you to check out our products, West Coast Cowgirl, where you will find a wide variety of jewelry options, from classic motifs to more modern cowgirl bling. Whether you are looking for a gift for that special someone or ready to treat yourself to something new, products are added regularly so be sure to check back often.

If you love the way of life we enjoy in the American West, you are probably like me and love western-style jewelry. One way to connect with our western identity is through the jewelry we wear. When we find a piece that we are drawn to, wearing a special necklace or bracelet brings a certain something extra to our personal sense of pride and place.

But what exactly is western-style jewelry? As an art style, western jewelry has specific elements which are as varied as any showing you might find in a gallery; yet, it’s a style which is instinctively recognizable. Pulling from a romanticized connection to the past, western jewelry takes inspiration from old leather craftsmanship techniques of the wild west in the late 1800s, as well as from Native cultures in the region.

There are common icons which speak of the American West, such as horseshoes, lassos, cowboy boots and horses. Natural metals and stones found around the Western United States also speak to our cultural and historical connections. Turquoise, smoky quartz and agate have long been worked into beautifully detailed works of art alongside silver and gold. Metal-working techniques such as filigree carving incorporate the natural world of leaves and flowers into many a western-style piece of jewelry.

Cultural heritage designs from the Arapaho, Navajo and Ute Nations, for example, have long made their mark in Western jewelry. That we can still enjoy the fine craftsmanship of these amazing artists today in our modern world, brings a personal connection to the past, and a deep connection to the strength of spirit inherent in western native peoples.

If you love Western-Style jewelry like I do, I invite you to check out our products, West Coast Cowgirl, where you will find a wide variety of jewelry options, from classic motifs to more modern cowgirl bling. Whether you are looking for a gift for that special someone or ready to treat yourself to something new, products are added regularly so be sure to check back often.