Miscellaneous Jewelry

Zuni silversmith and inlay jeweler, Ella Gia, created this dynamic ruby throated hummingbird in flight pin that also has a bale to wear as a pendant.  If you look closely, you will see one of the sterling silver feet touching the beak, so sweet!  The head is inlaid abalone with a turquoise eye.  There is natural red coral for the ruby throat.  The back is Sleeping Beauty turquoise, and the body is mother of pearl.   The wings and tail are jet.  Imagine going about your day accompanied by a sweet hummingbird!  More about hummingbirds below.

Size: 1.5" H x 1.5" W

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”.

If you are a Star Trek fan (we are!), you will love this pin that is very close to the Star Trek emblem.  It is a vintage Taxco, Mexican sterling silver broach this is so cool!

Size: 1.75" H x 2.5" W

This beautiful thunderbird pin and pendant was made by Delwin Gasper.  The inlay and silverwork are impeccable!  The stones include jet, natural Sleeping Beauty, natural red coral, and mother of pearl.  It has pin back and a bale that is large enough for a wider chain or 6mm beads.  Signed on the back.  It really quite stunning!  More about thunderbirds and channel inlay below.  

Size: 1.75" H x 1.375" H

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).

This bright blue natural Sleeping Beauty turquoise pendant by Emma Edaakie also has a pin back.  It looks great as either a pendant or a pin on your blouse, jacket, hat, or anywhere you want a little extra.

Size: .875" H x 1.125" W

Butterflies begin their lives as caterpillars, crawling around and munching on leaves.  They then go through a dramatic transformation inside the cocoons that they make for this purpose.  They emerge as creatures of the air and flight.  For many Native American people, planting specific seeds and harvests revolve around when butterflies emerge or depart.  They also symbolize transformation because they go through such huge changes.

Zuni jeweler, Leahus Ahiyite, made this wonderful inlaid hummingbird drinking nectar from a flower.  As a pin, the hummingbird is horizontal.  As a pendant, it is vertical.  Either way, it is lovely!  The face of the hummingbird is Sleeping Beauty turquoise with an inlaid jet eye, the neck is abalone, the body is mother of pearl, the tail is turquoise, natural red coral, and abalone, and the wings are abalone, jet, and natural red coral.  The flower is gold lip mother of pearl with turquoise leaves.   Signed on the back.

Size: 1" H x 2.75" L (when horizontal)

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 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, Fabian Cellicion, made this stunning channel inlay Thunderbird broach pin.  It is inlaid with Sleeping Beauty turquoise, natural red coral, mother of pearl, and jet.

Size: 2.675" H x 1.75" W

Thunderbirds are powerful intelligent forces of nature related to thunder, and elements of thunder storms.  

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

Zuni jeweler, Germaine Smith, made this inlaid sky bear pin.  The stones include jet, Sleeping Beauty turquoise, and red spiny oyster shell.  It has a red "planet" and sterling silver stars, as well as a silver eye.  Would be great on a hat, jacket, or shirt!

Size: .675" H x 1.125" W

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 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. 

You will be styling with these Navajo handmade concho cuff links!  Turquoise is set in the center with repousse flowers all around, and intricate stamp work around the outer edge.  What a wonderful gift!

Size: .875" Diameter

This sterling silver buckle was made by Navajo jeweler, D. C. Thomas.  It has three Kingman turquoise stones, and two red coral stones set in a horizontal line in the center.  There is delicate stamp work around the inner border.  It will fit a belt that is up to 1" wide.  Stamped "D. C. Thomas" on the back.

Size: 1.625" H x 2.625" W

Zuni jeweler, Carmichael Haloo, inlaid Sleeping Beauty turquoise in a fish scale pattern on this key ring.  The setting around the bezel is a flower design, with tiny little sterling silver flowers between each petal.

Size: 2.25" L x 1" W

He or she will be holding their money in style with this Navajo handmade money clip.  Three denim lapis stones are set in the center, with hand stamped designs all around.  It has an ingenious design that uses pressure to keep the bills in, whether many or few.  The perfect gift for that person that is hard to buy for!  The jeweler's name and price will be cleaned from the back before shipping.

Size: 2" H x 1" W

This spectacular 3" diameter turquoise cluster pin/pendant made by Navajo jeweler, Zarita Begay, can be worn either way.   There are 103 sett turquoise stones which were hand cut with each set in its own handmade bezel.  there is twisted wire between each row of stones, and soldered silver half circles of sterling silver wire between the other stones and the next set of stones.  It is all on oxidized silver to enhance the silver and stones.  The bale will fit a small to medium size chain and it has a 2" long pin on the back.

Size: 3.125" in diameter

Quetzal birds are sacred to Indigenous people in Central America.  They are large and colorful birds, reaching over 13" at adulthood.  Zuni jewelers, Ruddell and Nancy Laconsello, inlaid this pin/pendant using malachite, jet, and red coral for the body of the bird.  It sits on an inlaid malachite branch, with pale green leaves, a bushy red coral flower, and pink mussel shell flower bud.  It has a bale for a chain or 4mm beads and pin back to be worn two different ways.

Size: 1.5" Diameter

Nancy and Ruddell Laconsello are married Zuni jewelers who are well-known known for their intricate inlaid jewelry.  Working together, Ruddell crafts the silver work.  Nancy cuts the stones and does the inlay.  Ruddell finishes the pieces with etching the stones and polishing the finished treasure.

This type of Zuni inlay is made by sawing out two pieces of silver into the desired shape.  The area where the stones are inlaid are sawed out by hand (yes, really!).  The two pieces of silver are soldered together.  The stones are then cut, shaped, and placed into the areas that have been sawed out to create the design.  This type of jewelry making is difficult and involved, which is why we do not see too many jewelers making it anymore.