Gathering Tribes

Zuni Pueblo jeweler, Fabian Cellicion, made these stunning sterling silver thunderbird earrings with Sleeping Beauty turquoise, natural red coral, mother of pearl and jet. 

1.125" H x .5" W

Thunderbirds are considered to be powerful intelligent forces of nature by many Indigenous people and have with the power of thunder.  They are sometimes associated with lightening.

Channel inlay jewelry is a process used extensively by Native American jewelers, particularly those in Zuni Pueblo.  Many other talented jewelers from other tribes in the Southwest also make channel inlay jewelry.  The metal channels, usually silver, is soldered onto the back to create the design.  Afterward, the stones are cut to fit into each section.  It is an exacting process which shows in the beauty of the work of the finished piece(s).

We love Paula Calabaza's chunky hand-rolled beads!  This one is made with jet, clam shell, melon shell, turquoise, and catlinite with jet heishi in between the beads in the center.

Size: 20.5"

Hand Rolled Beads Hand-rolled beads are made by chipping out pieces of stone or shell.  A hole is drilled into the center of each chip.  The chips are strung on a wire and rolled, and rolled, and rolled until they are all the same width.  Sometimes they are graduated – a difficult task!  They are then polished until smooth.  There are hand-rolled necklaces from Kewa Pueblo that are over a thousand years old.  In the “old days”, the holes were drilled with a hand-pump drill, strung on handmade string, and rolled on sandstone.   There is nothing quite like hand-rolled Kewa beads!

Many of the Pueblos in New Mexico took on Spanish names after colonization and are now taking back their original names.  Kewa Pueblo is the traditional name of the place and the people.  It was known as Santo Domingo Pueblo for many, many years.

This tufa cast naja was made by Navajo silversmith Kevin Yazzie.  It has graceful, yet strong lines.  The three arrow points at the top are polished to a high sheen and make a very cool contrast to the organic texture of the organic texture from the tufa.  The hook on the back cannot be seen from the front, and can be hooked onto your favorite necklace or chain.  The beads do not come with it.  This is one of the most beautiful tufa cast najas we've ever seen!   Najas are worn by women and men.  More about najas and tufa cast jewelry below.

Size: 3" H x 2" W

Najas are a prominent symbol in Navajo jewelry and are always the center piece in squash blossom necklaces.  I was told they are a feminine symbol, and their crescent shape represents the arms of a matriarch and the generations of the past and future.  It symbolizes ease of movement, paths of least resistance for the family, even during challenging times.  There is a sense of open arms in the shape of the naja that is soothing.  Some najas have hands on each end.

Tufa Jewelry: Tufa is a volcanic stone which can be as dense as chalk which has an organic texture. The first thing a jeweler does is examine a piece of tufa for any tiny fractures.  If it looks good, the tufa is cut in half and, if there is a design, it is carved into the tufa.   There is a pour hole carved into the top and several narrow vents carved into each side.  The two pieces are then bound tightly together and molten silver or gold is poured through the hole at the top.  If there are any microscopic cracks, the tufa explodes when the metal is poured in and the process has to begin again. 

Michael Horse made this gorgeous sterling silver ring and set a fabulous natural sugilite stone in it which he cut.  The sugilite has a thin layer of richterite, which is blue.  He made a double band which can be sized up to a 10.

Size: 8.5 - Stone size is 1.625 L x .75" W

More about Michael Horse HERE

Award-winning Creek, Navajo and Hopi jeweler, David Tune, made this spirit person shaped inlaid ring.  The stone is high grade natural Bisbee turquoise.  The inlay is turquoise, fossilized walrus ivory, red and orange coral.  The band is tufa cast and stamped by hand.  "David Tune" is stamped into the band.

Size: 9 - adjustable one size up or down.  Setting is 2" H x .75" W