I get asked from time to time how I choose the Native American jewelry I carry at Rockin’ M. The simple answer?
It has to speak to me.
If you’ve seen my posts or watched many of my videos or live sales, you’ve probably heard me say, “I love this one—it’s one of my favorites!”
A lot. Okay... maybe a whole lot. 😂
And I know some of you are probably thinking, Pattie, they can’t ALL be your favorite.
But here’s the thing—they kind of are.
My husband hears it all the time too, usually followed by, “I think I want to keep this one.”
His response?
“It’s ALL for sale. You can’t keep it all!” 😂
He’s probably right. (Don’t tell him I said that.)
The truth is, if I didn’t love something about a piece in the first place, I probably wouldn’t have bought it. Maybe it’s the stone, the silverwork, the design, or simply that feeling I got when I first saw it.
Something about it had to make me think, I want that.
Quality Comes First
Of course, loving a piece isn’t enough. I look at every piece individually for quality. I look closely at the silverwork, the craftsmanship and the quality of the stone.
Once a piece passes that test, then I listen to that little voice that says, Yep, I want this one.
If I don’t get that feeling, I usually don’t buy it.
A Little Familiar—and a Little Unexpected
I try to keep a good mix. Some pieces are popular styles I know people are looking for, but I also love finding something unusual—something you aren’t going to see everywhere.
I buy both vintage and contemporary pieces and look for a variety of stones, designs and styles. I don’t want everything in the case to look the same because the people wearing it certainly aren’t all the same.
And sometimes the pieces that catch my eye aren’t necessarily the ones I went looking for. Those are usually the fun ones.
Jewelry You Can Actually Wear
One thing that’s important to me is price. Native American jewelry is special, but I also want to carry pieces that are within reach for the average person who loves beautiful, handmade jewelry.
You won’t see a huge number of big statement pieces in my collection—at least not yet. I’m building that part slowly and trying to stay within a budget.
Trying being the important word there. 😂
Most of what I choose is jewelry you can wear often—pieces that become part of your collection instead of something you wear once and put away.
I think everyone should have a goal of owning at least one really special statement piece. Not because it completes a collection (are they ever really complete?), but because it makes your collection personal. Maybe it’s the stone, the artist, the design, or simply the way it makes you feel.
That special piece should say something about you.
So I look for both: beautiful pieces you’ll reach for again and again, and those occasional pieces that make you stop and think...
Oh, that’s the one.
And Sometimes, I Just Know
I can talk about silverwork, stones, craftsmanship, artists, price and style all day long. Those things absolutely matter when I’m buying.
But there’s still that last little test.
I pick it up. I look at it.
And if something inside me says, Oh, I want this one...
There’s a pretty good chance it’s coming home to Rockin’ M.
Because if it doesn’t make me feel something when I first see it, I can’t expect it to make you feel something when you see it either.
And really, that’s what I want every piece at Rockin’ M to have—a little something that makes the right person stop, look twice and think...
Yep. That one’s mine.
And until then, I’ll just keep reminding myself...
It’s ALL for sale, Pattie. You can’t keep it all! 😂