Native American hair barrettes by Navajo artists, in nickel or sterling silver, and some set with turquoise. Most are slim bar designs. Nearly all are handmade and include an original certificate of authenticity.
Navajo Barrette Designs
The barrettes with a listed tribe are Navajo work: a metal bar or oval, often decorated with stamped patterns and sometimes set with a turquoise stone in a handmade bezel. The stamping is the same craft used on Navajo cuffs and buckles. Read more in our Navajo jewelry guide.
Metals and Stones
A little over half of the barrettes are nickel, which is light and holds up well to daily wear. Most of the rest are sterling silver, and the metal is named on the product page. Turquoise is the stone used on the set barrettes; plain stamped barrettes have no stone.
Size and How to Wear Them
Most barrettes here are slim bars in a size that holds a half-up style, a low ponytail or the end of a braid. A few wider pieces are better for thick hair. The listing gives the exact size. Barrettes like these are worn by women and girls alike and make a thoughtful gift for anyone who wears long hair. Some listings show a representative photo, so the piece you receive may vary slightly in stone color and pattern.
How to Check Authenticity
Authentic Native American work is made by an enrolled member of a recognized tribe, and selling imitations as Indian-made is illegal under the Indian Arts and Crafts Act. Look for an artist hallmark, a sterling stamp where the metal is silver, and paperwork naming the maker. Our hallmarks guide explains what the stamps mean, and nearly all barrettes here include an original certificate of authenticity.
Caring for Your Barrette
Close the clasp gently and avoid bending the bar. Keep hair spray and styling products off the silver and stone, wipe the barrette with a soft cloth, and store it closed in a pouch. Check now and then that the clasp still closes firmly.