Page 58 - Jan2017Tucson

Gem Mall Cactus Tent Booth 1506
EXHIBITOR PROFILE
Native American Store
Rose De Castro
Rose and Juan De Castro met in Hawaii. She was from the Philippines and he was in the Navy. After completing
The Navajo’s turquoise jewelry production began shortly after Atsidi Sani learned how to make silver jewelry from the Spaniards, around the years 1880-85. The Navajos traded with the Santo Domingo Indians for many years to get turquoise for their jewelry.
As they began to master silversmithing, the Navajos started to combine silver with turquoise. The Navajo’s turquoise jewelry was only used for ceremonies and religious rituals before tourists took interest in it. To the tribe, turquoise represents happiness, luck and health. It is the most common stone used in native American jewelry still today.
This is a piece of jewelry from Native American Store collection of Zuni Inlay jewelry. It was designed with the traditional colors from which
they rarely depart. By comparison, the Navajo artisans will use any color combination and gemstone to get the look they desire.
(cont'd on page 88)
his service they were married and moved to the mainland. What would they do now that he was no longer in the Navy and she had left her job in Hawaii? They wanted to have a business of their own and do shows. What to sell? Scooters of course! Living in Las Vegas, their
interests eventually
gravitated more to
Native American
arts and Jewelry.
Rose, being from
the Philippines,
had access to Spiny
Oyster and natural
shell Heishi, products that southwest Indian tribes use. They began to educate themselves for a business with Native American Arts.
56 — Tucson
By Lynn Evans