Earrings - Medicine Wheel German Silver w/ Crushed Black & Red Pipestone, Sandstone and Shell by Mitchell Zephier Designs (Lakota - Lower Brule)SOLD

These medicine wheel earrings are made of 'German silver' and is inlaid with crushed minerals in each direction. It represents balance between the physical and spiritual world with the circle, cross and four colors holding several meanings and representations. 'German silver' is an alloy of copper, nickel and zinc.

Each color has a direction associated with it.  East (Yellow) is the direction from which the sun comes.  South (White) or southern sky is when the sun is at its highest, so this direction stands for warmth and growing. West (Black) is where the sun sets, and signifies the end of life but also the source of water. North (Red) brings the cold, harsh winds of the winter season and represents the trials people must endure and the cleansing they must undergo. The circle represents the outer boundary of Earth and the crossing lines can represent man's path.

The symbols hold a teaching which states "walk the good red road and live the balance within the sacred medicine wheel of the universe."

Mitchell Zephier, Sr. began making jewelry in the 1970's where he learned metalsmithing techniques from Frank Standing High, a high school art teacher and master traditional craftsman, and inlay techniques from a Zuni jeweler. Mitchell had worked along with his brother, Roger Herron (Lower Brule) who passed away in 2023 and helped with the fine cutting and stamping, and with Belle Star Boy (Rosebud Sioux). Mitchell's unique jewelry in german "silver", sterling silver and brass incorporates traditional Northern Plains designs.  Mitchell's jewelry is often inlaid with crushed materials such as pipestone, alabaster, lapis or malachite mixed with epoxy as a holding agent.

Length 1.5", Medicine Wheel diameter - 1" 

For more information on Mitchell Zephier, click here.