6 Common Stones Used in Native American Jewelry
Are you interested in Native American jewelry and curious about the behind-the-scenes details that give each piece its character? Then one important part worth knowing is the types of stones Native artists use in their works. Stones are often used as the focal point, or as accents, to bring color, contrast, and meaning to rings, pendants, cuffs, and other pieces. They’re beautiful, but Native American artists don’t choose them for looks alone. The stone itself can carry symbolism, reflect cultural values, and shape the feeling a piece is meant to hold.
Turquoise
Turquoise is an opaque phosphate mineral known for its blue to blue-green color. It forms when copper, aluminum, and phosphorus interact underground over long periods of time. That mineral makeup gives turquoise its color, while the amount of iron or zinc present can shift it from a bright sky blue to a greener tone. Some stones show a web of dark lines called matrix, which comes from the rock surrounding the turquoise as it forms.
Turquoise carries deep meaning in many Native American traditions, though those meanings can vary by tribe, region, and family. It’s often associated with protection, healing, strength, and a connection to the sky and water. In some traditions, it’s been worn or carried as a protective stone, while in others it’s marked status, spiritual belief, or the importance of balance between people and the natural world. That lasting symbolism helps explain why turquoise remains such a respected stone in Native American jewelry.
Coral
Coral is an organic material that forms from the hardened skeletal remains of tiny marine animals. In jewelry, the most commonly used coral is red or orange-red, prized for its rich color and smooth finish. Unlike minerals pulled from the earth, coral comes from the sea, which gives it a distinct place among stones used in adornment. It can be cut into beads, shaped into cabochons, or polished into clean, vivid forms that stand out beautifully in handcrafted settings.
Coral’s red color has long connected it to blood and the energy that sustains life. In Native American jewelry, that gives it a meaning tied to vitality, strength, and protection. It can represent the force of being alive, not in an abstract way, but in a physical, deeply human one. That makes coral feel bold, warm, and deeply rooted in the body as much as in tradition.
Mother Of Pearl
Mother of pearl is the smooth, iridescent inner layer of certain mollusk shells. It’s made of nacre, a substance the shell produces naturally, and it shifts in color as light moves across the surface. That soft glow can show hints of white, cream, silver, or pale rainbow tones depending on the cut. In jewelry, mother of pearl is valued for its luminous finish and the quiet richness it brings to a piece.
Mother of pearl often carries meanings tied to calm, nurturing, and protection. Because it comes from the inner lining of a shell, it’s closely connected with shelter and preservation. That gives it a gentler symbolism than stones with stronger contrast or heavier color. In Native American jewelry, it can bring a sense of softness, depth, and natural beauty that still feels grounded.
Onyx
Onyx is a variety of chalcedony, a microcrystalline form of quartz, with a smooth texture and deep black color. It forms in layered bands, though in jewelry it’s often cut to show a solid, even surface. That rich black tone gives onyx a clean, bold look that contrasts sharply with metals and brighter stones. It takes a high polish, which adds to its refined, almost mirror-like finish.
Onyx is often associated with protection and strength in Native American jewelry. Its dark color has been connected to grounding energy and the ability to absorb or deflect negativity. That gives the stone a stabilizing presence, one that feels firm and controlled rather than expressive. It carries a quiet intensity that adds depth without drawing attention away from the craftsmanship around it.
Lapis
Lapis is a metamorphic rock made primarily of lazurite, which gives it its deep blue color. Some pieces also contain calcite, which appears as white veining, or pyrite, which shows up as small gold-colored flecks. That mix gives lapis a surface with depth and natural variation rather than a flat, uniform color. In jewelry, it brings a rich blue tone that feels bold, polished, and substantial.
Lapis is often connected with wisdom, truth, and inner clarity. Its deep blue color gives it a thoughtful, almost meditative presence that sets it apart from brighter stones. Across Native American cultures, that can give lapis a meaning tied less to physical force and more to insight, honesty, and depth of spirit. It carries a composure that feels quiet, serious, and self-possessed.
Spiny Oyster
Spiny oyster is an organic material that comes from the shell of a marine mollusk found in warm coastal waters. Its color can range from vivid orange and red to purple, with natural patterning that gives each cut a distinct look. Once polished, it has a smooth surface with strong color saturation that stands out immediately in jewelry. That intensity gives spiny oyster a visual presence that feels both earthy and striking.
Spiny oyster carries meaning tied to vitality and renewal across many Native American cultures. Its vivid color gives it a sense of warmth and emotional force, which makes it feel alive in a very immediate way. That symbolism connects it to movement, expression, and personal presence. Instead of feeling restrained or quiet, spiny oyster brings an energy that feels bold, bright, and full of momentum.
The Meaning Behind the Stone
The stones found in Native American jewelry all have deep symbolism behind them. There’s the protectiveness of turquoise, the vitality of coral, the calm of mother of pearl, the grounding force of onyx, the insight of lapis, and the energy of spiny oyster. The artists making these pieces may choose certain stones for the meaning they carry, the feeling they bring to the design, or the story they want the jewelry to express.
If you’re drawn to the rich symbolism in Native American jewelry, you may want to add pieces from Native artists to your collection. John Henry Co. partners with skilled jewelry-makers from tribes like the Navajo and Zuni to spread appreciation for this work and the traditions behind it. Shop our collection of women’s turquoise jewelry and see if any of these fine blue stones catch your eye.