INFOCUS

NATIVE AMERICAN JEWELRY

WITH LASTING BEAUTY

WRITTEN BY BETHANEY PHILLIPS / PHOTOS BY JAMI BOWMAN

For years, Pamela Minick has found solace in intricate Native American jewelry. Featuring natural gemstones like white buffalo, turquoise, sterling, and more, her incredible collection consists of thousands of pieces, all of which come from mines throughout the country—many of which have been retired. This leaves White Buffalo Trading Co. as offering some of the most unique pieces around, including highly sought-after stones ranging in all colors, including pale greens and blues to those that are bright green in hues. “It’s like a big jewelry box,” Minick says, adding that she offers new and vintage pieces alike. “Not one type sells better than the other; there’s something for everyone, and these pieces continue to get more and more beautiful over time.” Additional stones include marble, alabaster, pipestone, and coral—and spiny oyster—it’s an unending list of variety that allows customers to shop in the style, size, and budget that suits them personally. Minick also works hard to find items that are more unique, such as handmade heishi beads—tiny turquoise tubes—that haven’t been in production since the 1980s. It’s items like these that she’s proud to collect, sell, and share with others, she adds. As for her best-selling type of jewelry, it recently transitioned from earrings, which had reigned as topdog for decades, to cuffs. “Cuffs are very popular,” she says about this style of bracelet. Another popular style of jewelry is squash blossoms, a type of large necklace with a horseshoe or crescent shape at the bottom. “They’re a bigger necklace and they’re incredible,” she explains.

Customers can inquire for specific pieces, or even order custom creations, each of which are handmade by Native American artists. Most come from New Mexico, although the stones themselves come from all over the country. About the job, Minick says she enjoys showing pieces to new collectors and showing them the different types of stones. She has also styled for many different weddings, including those of all cultures. However, she points out that it doesn’t have to be a special occasion to wear these colored stones. It’s jewelry for all occasions. “It’s natural beauty, it has a color to it,” Minick says. “I wouldn’t put down diamonds, but a lot of people want something more unique. These pieces last forever; you can hand them down. The older it gets, the nicer they look. It never loses value.”

Meanwhile, she’s a lifelong expert about stones, settings, styles of jewelry, as well as where they were mined. Visitors can learn a fascinating history lesson each time they shop. The store also carries a variety of handmade items such as fetishes, small hand-carved animals, art, pottery, and cradle boards. For anyone who is new to Native American jewelry, Minick offers some advice. She says start with an investment piece; going too small can hide your new joy. A medium-sized piece also offers more opportunity to wear. Then, add to your budding collection with smaller pieces and add on what you enjoy most, she says. For new and lifelong collectors alike, the fun of it is adding new styles and colors, so you can look and feel fresh on any occasion. And no matter what you’re wearing. White Buffalo Trading Co. posts new items on social media, including Facebook and Instagram. They are open Tuesday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“The pieces continue to get more and more beautiful over time.”

White Buffalo Trading Co. • 13328 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, KS • @whitebuffalotradingco • 913.789.8858 SIMPLYkc Special: Readers can mention this article to receive a discount when they shop.