How to Make a Cherokee Necklace

Prehistoric Indians shaped their beads by rubbing them on sandstone.

Like most Native American jewelry, the Cherokee used natural materials such as turquoise, jasper, seed beads, shells, silver and copper. Two features of many Cherokee necklaces are colored seed beads used for the necklace strand and a fringe-like effect created from using larger, longer beads from the collar bones down to the center of the necklace, where a larger bead or metal medallion serves as the centerpiece of the necklace. Cherokee necklaces can be made using modern glass beads and pre-made medallions or a turquoise pendant.

Things You'll Need

• Necklace clasp
• Beading wire
• Seed beads
• Turquoise beads at least 1-inch in length
• Decorative medallion or large turquoise bead

Instructions

1. Tie one end of the beading wire to one end of the necklace clasp. Knot it securely.

2. Choose the length for your necklace by holding the beading wire around your neck. Add 4 inches of wire to that length and cut the wire.

3. Divide the length of the necklace, minus the 4 inches, by three. The result gives you the length you will use only seed beads on the left side, the length you will add turquoise in the middle, and the length you will use only seed beads on the right side.

4. Choose the color and pattern you want for the sides of the necklace. Begin threading the beads onto the beading wire. Stop when you have threaded one-third of the necklace.

5. Alternate seed beads with turquoise beads. The distance between each turquoise bead depends on how many turquoise beads you have and your own personal preference.

6. Thread the medallion onto the necklace at the halfway point of the middle section of the necklace. This marks the exact center of the necklace.

7. String the remaining beads onto the necklace in a mirror-image reflection of the first half.

8. Tie the beading wire to the second necklace clasp and cut the excess. Pair your new necklace with a shirt or dress with a scooped neckline and wear it proudly.

References

• Cameron Trading Post: Turquoise in Native American Jewelry