Zia Four Directions Earrings - These are our most-asked-for earrings from visitors to our store, as the zia is the symbol for New Mexico, representing the four cardinal directions, the four seasons of the year, the four periods of each day (morning, noon, evening, and night), and the four seasons of life (childhood, youth, middle age, and old age). The central circle stands for life itself. Handmade in New Mexico, USA. The sterling silver is very thin and lightweight. Measures 1-3/4” long, with a central turquoise circle stone to set it off beautifully, all on French wires. Native American jewelry began not as ornamentation, but as strong symbol and story of the various nations'peoples. The fact that they are beautiful has drawn other peoples of North America to admire, emulate, and collect these finely made pieces. Our store is a trading post where artists come and sell their pieces and often times trade for items in the store, too. The main influences of the jewelry we carry are Santo Domingo Pueblo and the Navajo Nation and these artists have become friends to all of us.