Miscellaneous Jewelry

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!

This versatile little sterling silver happy bee by Zuni jeweler, Angus Ahiyite can be worn as a pin or a pendant.  It is inlaid with mother of pearl, gold lip mother of pearl, jet, and turquoise.  It is a wonderful reminder of the importance of bees.  The technique to make this adorable bee is called channel inlay and there is more information about it below.

Size: 1" H X 1.25' L

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).

This sterling silver buckle was made by Navajo jeweler, Carson Blackgoat.  It is beautifully stamped with a repousse center.  It is reminiscent of the four directions and butterflies.  Signed "CARSON" and "Sterling" on the back

Size: 2" H x 2.5" L with 1" opening for belt.

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

These Navajo handmade watch tips just need a watch and a band!  They are beautiful sterling silver with flowers, leaves, and fine strands.  Very affordable!

Size: 1.125" L x .5" 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.

This nickel silver bolo tie is made by Lipan Apache artist, Ikoshy Montoya.  It has many symbols that are associated with the Native American Church tipi ceremonies.  Reproductions of buffalo nickels dangle at the bottom of the tips. The tie is black braided leather.  It is signed "IKOSHY", "LIPAN" and "JAN 2014" on the back.  You can learn more about Ikoshy and see his beautiful paintings HERE.

Size: Tipi 3.25"H X 2.875" W, Tips 3.25" L, Entire length 40"

Navajo jeweler, Joe Martinez, made this shining sterling silver dragonfly and inlaid turquoise with a bit of jet in the body.  The wings and body below the inlay has beautiful stampwork designs  It has a pin back.  Can you see it on a hat, jacket, or shirt?  We sure can!  More about dragonflies below.

Size: 1.375" H x 2" W

Dragonflies have different, yet similar meanings throughout Native America.  In Zuni, they are messengers between this world and the next and are related to the coming rains and corn.  In other tribes they are strong protectors as dragonflies are one of the very few creatures that can fight while flying backwards.  They are known to watch our backs and offer protection.  Their symbol is a vertical line with two horizontal bars, and can be seen on war shirts, shields and painted on horses going into battle. 

Michael Horse's creativity knows no bounds!  This bolo tie features natural Blue Diamond turquoise - and it's a beauty.   The photo just doesn't due it justice.  The color ranges from a light sky blue to a darker Caribbean turquoise, with light grey inclusions.  The base is tufa cast, which gives it an organic texture (more about tufa below).   The tips are handmade and perfect.  The braided leather tie is 42", and thicker than most of the ties we've seen.  It goes through two loops on the back, and Michael engraved his signature on the back. 

Size: Arrowhead - 3.375" L x 2.375" W.  Stone is 2.75" H x 2" W.  Tips are 2.75" H x .375" W

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 together tightly and molten silver or gold is poured through the hole at the top.  If there are any  cracks, the tufa explodes when the metal is poured in and the process has to begin again.

This dragonfly in flight was made by Navajo silversmith, Joe Martinez.  It definitely appears to be enjoying time in the air!  The face and wings are stamped with nice detail on the wings.  the body is inlaid turquoise and jet, and the end part of the tail is detailed.  It has a pin back and is stamped "M" on the back.  More on dragonflies below.

Size: 1.5" H x 2" W

Dragonflies have different, yet similar meanings throughout Native America.  In Zuni, they are messengers between this world and the next and are related to the coming rains and corn.  In other tribes they are strong protectors, as dragonflies are one of the very few creatures that can fight while flying backwards.  They are known to watch our backs and offer protection.  Their symbol is a vertical line with two horizontal bars, and can be seen on war shirts, shields and painted on horses going into battle.

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

This bolo tie is part of the "Bear Track" collection by Michael Horse.  The sterling silver setting is tufa cast - more about that below.  Michael set a large natural Kingman turquoise nugget in the paw part of the bear track.  The braided black leather cord is of excellent quality.  The sterling silver tips end in round arrowheads. 

Bears 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.

Size: Leather -50" long / Bear track - 2.25" H x 2.75" W /  Turquoise - 1.325"  x 1.325" W - Tips 4.25" L

More about Michael Horse HERE

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 together tightly 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.