Miscellaneous Jewelry

Vintage sterling silver buckles like this don't become available very often.  The stones are natural turquoise and red coral surrounded by two large silver leaves and scroll work.  The oxidization (black part) of the silver behind the stones, leaves, and scroll work has been worn off in some places.  The outer edge is hand-stamped.

Size: 2.25" H x 3.125 Long - Belt loop will fit up to a 1.75" wide belt

What a delight to look at your watch and see it surrounded with beautiful Zuni inlay.  The stones include shimmering Mother of Pearl, natural Sleeping Beauty turquoise, natural red coral, and jet.  Even the thin black lines are cut and inlaid stone.  Comes with 4" long band.  The watch probably needs batteries.  It isn't signed, but we are pretty sure it was made by Leander Othole.  

Watch Tips: 1.5" L x 1.675" W

Zuni jeweler, Tracy Bowekaty, set natural Sleeping Beauty turquoise in a delicate sterling silver saw-tooth bezel surrounded by twisted silver wire.  From each side of the three silver domes on the bottom, stylized silver leaves hold the corn.  The corn kernels are detailed with lapis, malachite, red coral, sugilite, and jet.  The bale is also on the back, along with a .75" long pin with safety catch.  Tracy's initials are engraved onto the back.  

Size: 1.125" H x 1" W

What a great way to keep track of your money.   Navajo jeweler, Wilbur Myers, fabricated this money clip and set turquoise and red coral into sterling silver bezels.  The feather, scrolls, and dots are all sterling silver.

Size: 1.675" L x .75" W

This striking pin/pendant is mosaic inlay made by Mary Louise Tafoya.  Like so much of Mary Louise's jewelry, it reminds us of so much of what we see in nature, waves, clouds, mountains, snow, and sunsets.  Her creations are definite conversation starters!

Size: 1.5" H x 2.5" W

Zuni jeweler, Leagus Ahiyte, inlaid jet, natural red coral, Mother of Pearl, and natural Sleeping Beauty turquoise in this channel inlaid Thunderbird.  We love the way he uplifts the wings.  Sterling silver tips are the ends of the braided leather cord.  More about channel inlay and Thunderbirds below.

Size: 2" H x 1.325" W - Braided leather 44" L including silver tips

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 channel, 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).

Thunderbirds  intelligent forces of nature with the power of thunder, lightening, and storms. 

This Navajo handmade shadowbox bolo tie has two sky blue natural Kingman turquoise stones set in the palm of the paw.  The back of the sterling silver shadow box has been oxidized which turns it black and dramatically sets off the stones.  The tips are sterling silver and the braided black leather is 42" long.  Imagine wearing it to all the events this year!  TN" and "Sterling" stamped on the back.  More about bears below.

Size: 2" H x 1.5" W - Braided leather 42"

Bears are the guardians of the western gate in Zuni Pueblo.  They are associated with healing at all levels, protection, and a reminder to restore oneself during the winter months.  In some traditions a part of the bear is rubbed all over infants to imbue them with power, strength, and good health.

This lovely hummingbird pin/pendant has a pin back and a loop to be worn either way.  The hummingbird is inlaid with jet, turquoise, red coral, gold lip Mother of Pearl, pink mussel shell, and Mother of Pearl.  The flower is inlaid with red coral, gold lip Mother of Pearl, turquoise and jet.  It is set in sterling sliver.   More about hummingbirds below

Size: 1" H x 1.675" L

Hummingbirds are fierce defenders of their families.  Many Indigenous people consider them to be messengers between this world and the spirit world.  And, in some tribes they are considered to be “love medicine”.

This sterling silver overlay Butterfly Maiden was made by Hopi jeweler, Frank Lahaleon.  She is so beautiful!  She has a feather tied into her hair, face paint, and is holding a bow with two ears of corn.  Her dress has traditional designs and she is wearing mocassins with leg wraps.  Her butterfly wings have traditional designs which include water, lightening, mountains, snow, and whirlwinds.  It has a 1.25" pin on the back, as well as a loop for a chain.  More about the overlay technique below.

Size: 3" H x 1.5" W

Hopi Overlay  Overlay jewelry is made by sawing out two sheets of sterling silver or gold the same size.  Hopi jewelers texture the bottom sheet with hatch marks.  It is then oxidized to turn it black.  The design is drawn on to the top sheet of silver which is then carefully sawed out with a fine jeweler's saw. The edges are filed smooth.  The top piece is soldered on to the bottom piece.  Sometimes, there are many small pieces that are also soldered on to the bottom sheet of silver.  It is then polished to a high sheen.  Overlay is very labor intensive!

These Navajo handmade watch tips are sterling silver with 12kt gold overlay designs.  The watch works and the band is a gold color.  If the band doesn't fit it is easy to purchase one that does at a watch shop.  It is stamped "T.Singer" on the back.  We cannot be 100% certain that it was made by the well known Navajo jeweler Tommy Singer, but it could be.  Mr. Singer passed away in 2014 and is still greatly missed.

Watch Tips Size: 1" L x .675" W

These sterling silver Navajo handmade watch tips are beautifully made with two denim lapis stones set on each side.  This watch is included, but we aren't sure if it works.  It may just need a new battery.  And, the buyer would also want to get a band which is easy to purchase from a watch shop.  It is hallmarked on the back with an A.

Watch Tips Size: 1.5" L x 1.125" W

This sterling silver katsina is decorated with Egyptian turquoise.  The katsina is holding a rattle in one hand and a fan in the other.  It is wearing a concho belt and the traditional kilt and sash.  Bells are above the moccasins.  It is on a leather tie with sterling tips. Signed by Michael Horse on the back.

Size: Katsina 4" H x 1.5" W x .5" D, leather tie with silver tips 22.5" L

Michael Horse is an award-winning Yaqui jeweler who uses high quality stones in his work including natural high grade turquoise, coral, lapis and more.  He is most well known for the intricate katsinas he fabricates in his studio, and he is a master tufa carver.  He is also an award-winning ledger painter and actor with many roles in television and film  Many people recognize from his role as Deputy Hawk in the ground breaking Twin Peaks television series.

Do you love turtles?  Then you will love this sterling silver pin by Navajo silversmith, S. Yazzie!  The eyes are stamped, and the feet and tail are detailed.  Our favorite part is the eight repousse crescent moons on the shell, the turquoise in the center, and the detailed stamp work that remind us of moon rays in front of each moon.  The piece is slightly domed and has a pin back.  

Size: 1.875" H x 1.375" W

Turtles have their own homes on their backs which means that wherever they are, they are home.  They are associated with safety.  When attacked they retreat into their shells, although some turtles have strong enough mouths to snap a finger.  For most Native American nations in North America, turtles represent Mother Earth.  Every turtle shell has 13 sections on top which some Native Americans say represent the 13 moons of each year.

Zuni jeweler, Emma Edaakie, created this bright and shiny Sleeping Beauty turquoise and natural red coral pen/pendant.  The wings are surrounded by sterling silver stars.  The antenna have a graceful sweep that ends in a spiral.  Stunning!

Size: 1.5" H x 1.5" W