Chakana E-store

All profits go to supporting the Pine Ridge Schools, Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota. Use coupon code Pine Ridge for 25% off! All profits are used to support their art and geology programs.

PLEASE SPONSOR ONE OF THE 48 GRADUATES OF PINE RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL BY DONATING $5.00 OR BUYING A $10 ITEM–THANK YOU!

In addition: create an account and be entered in our monthly giveaway.

To start shopping, use the search bar at the top of the page.

About Our Store

This is where we make our money to support our programs. Everything in the store is sold as is; we can’t make any guarantees on any items. We do our best to authenticate each preowned piece. If you have any issues, please contact using the information provided at the bottom of the page. Keep in mind that there only three of us doing this part-time. Additionally, we do not negotiate on price. We try to buy each item at a low price and only add a reasonable mark-up in order to fund this LLC. Our mark ups are a lot lower than your average jewelry store.

Shopping Advice

We have done a lot of research prior to buying any of our items. Below is a list of things that we’ve learned. We recommend you read this section before you buy anything from our site.

Investment Pieces

If you’re looking for jewelry/collectibles, that may appreciate in value, buy pieces that have high brand recognition, or from a known designer. Southwest style jewelry continues to appreciate in value. The following is a list of names to watch for: Caroline Pollack, Karen Kopal (Fabergé), David Yurman, Mikimoto pearls, Tiffany and Company, Christian Dior, Tasaki pearls, Van Cleef, and Arpels, Roderick Tenório. As always, invest in jewelry that has the top four jewels: diamonds, blue, sapphires, red, rubies, and green emeralds.

Precious Metals

The top metals used in jewelry making are: gold, palladium, platinum, titanium, tungsten, and stainless steel. Further, you’ll see pure metal, filled, and plated. You may also see a listing for liquid silver, which is actually silver tubes used as beads. In the case of pure silver, it may be listed as sterling silver 925. In order to be listed as filled, at least 5% or more of the metal must be covering the jewelry. Plated jewelry can have any amount of the metal.

Precious Stones

There are only four precious stones. Here they are listed in order of hardness on the Mohs scale: diamonds, blue, sapphires, red rubies, and green emeralds. The top semi precious stones are : pink sapphire, Tanzanite, and opal. The best lab created diamond alternative is moissanite. Many of you have heard of cubic zirconia which is also lab, created and varies in quality based upon its hardness. There are too many semi precious stones for us to go over in any detail.

Pearls

There are two standard pearl grading systems: the Tahitian and the Institute of America (GIA). The Tahitian pearl grading system ranks pearls from A being the highest to D being the lowest. The GIA grades pearls from AAAA being the highest, to A being the lowest. The criteria for both is judging pearls by Size, shape, luster, and skin quality. Some of these measurements are subjective based upon the gemologist expertise and experience. Oyster shell pearls are actually man-made derived from oyster shells.

Investment Pieces

If you’re looking for jewelry/collectibles, that may appreciate and value, buy pieces that have high brand recognition, or from a known designer. Southwest style jewelry continues to appreciate in value. The following is a list of names to look out for: Caroline Pollack, Karen Kopal (Fabergé), David Yurman, Mikimoto pearls, Tiffany and Company, Christian Dior, Tasaki pearls, Van Cleef, and Arpels, Roderick Tenório. As always, invest in jewelry that has the top four jewels: diamonds, blue, sapphires, red, rubies, and green emeralds.

Upcycle Products

One of our goals is to save items that my have been discarded or in need of repair, We also look for interesting pieces made by other artists. When we upcycle, we try to add value to the item. (The hatband is the only complete piece in the photo.)

Africa

We ABSOLUTELY LOVE the colors of Africa! We have gathered a variety of pieces from throughout the continent. Look for opals from Ethiopia, garnets from Mozambique, tanzanite from Tanzania, bloodstone from Madagascar; and finally, our favorite, beadwork from the Maasai tribe. There are also a variety of other items such as purses and metal jewelry.

Adventure Boxes/Gift Boxes

We have created a number of themed based boxes that contain multiple pieces of jewelry and other fun items. In the case of the wooden boxes we bought from Amazon.com, we do not mark them up–we only add in the price we paid. In addition, we have gift boxes and bags with bundled items.

Collectables

We have a variety of brass figurines, trinket boxes, etc. Included in our collectables collection are items by known artists including Keren Kopal (see trinket boxes in the photo). She works with Austrian Crystals and has created pieces for Faberge.

Mail

10675 FM 3226
Suite 23
Arp, TX 75750

Connect

T: 903-483-5349
E: [email protected]

Stay Connected

© 2023 Chakana Disadvantaged Artists Fund LLC. All rights reserved.

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