Native American Jewelry

This vintage mercury dime squash blossom style necklace has natural Morenci turquoise set in the tufa cast naja.  The ends of the naja have delicately engraved fingers.  The dimes are all from the 1940s.  This necklace was part of a large collection and we belive it was made in the 1940s or early 1950s.  The beads are all handmade, and it ends in a handmade hook and eye clasp.  What a find!

Size: 25" L - Naja 2.5" H (includes stone) x 2.25" 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.

Zuni jeweler, Larry Loretto, made this stunning channel inlay, natural red coral bracelet.  There are 44 "bricks" of coral.  The bracelet weighs 2 ounces, a good weight.  It is absolutely gorgeous.  Stamped "LORETTO" and "STERLING" inside.  More about channel inlay below.

Size: 6" Long with 1.5" Opening

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).

Navajo jeweler, Samuel Yellowhair, made this sterling silver pendant.  The turquoise has light beige matrix that resembles clouds, or perhaps islands seen from the air.  The setting has twisted wire around the bezel and delicate cut-outs.  The bale is wide enough for 4mm beads or a thicker chain.  "SY" and "Sterling" are stamped on the back.

Size: 1.75" H x .75" W

These lovely sterling silver earrings were handmade by Navajo jeweler, Jan Mariano.  The turquoise is a soft blue-green.  Sterling silver posts.

Size: .75" H x .375" W

This Navajo handmade bracelet was made by a member of the well-known Tahe family.  Three flat twisted copper wires nestle between two round ones.  Stamped "Tahe" and "copper" inside.

Size: 5" Long with .875" Opening

This Navajo handmade sterling silver pendant features natural Kingman turquoise.  The color is bright blue with tiny bits of the palest green.  It reminds us of the Caribbean ocean.  The setting is simple, with a repousse star on the bottom surrounded by two silver balls on each side.  The bale is large enough for 8mm beads or any size chain.  Stamped "EA" and "Sterling" on the back.  It's a beauty!

Size: 2" H (includes bale) x 1" W

This Navajo handmade sterling silver bracelet has a gorgeous natural Egyptian turquoise set in the center.  The setting has twisted silver wire around the bezel, and precise cutouts in the surrounding silver.  "NJ" is stamped inside.

Size: 5.375" Long with 1" Opening - Turquoise setting is 1" H x .75" W

This elegantly striking Navajo channel inlay pendant is set with black onyx and shimmering blue opal.  Even the thin lines of black are cut and inlaid onyx!  Signed FT on the back with a tipi between the letters.  The bail is large enough for a thicker chain or 4mm beads.  More about channel inlay below.

Size: 1.675" L x .375" W

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 sweet, sterling silver, Navajo handmade bracelet was made by Harris Largo.  The center Kingman turquoise stone has a natural red coral on each side.  The corals each have a delicately details feather.

Size: 5.5 Long with 1" Opening

These lovely sterling silver earrings were handmade by Navajo jeweler, Jan Mariano.  The turquoise is a soft blue-green.  Could these be the perfect everyday earrings for you?

Size: .875" H (includes wire) x .375" W

This Navajo handmade necklace has three Kingman stones set in sterling silver.  Each setting has twisted wire around the bezels, and delicately detailed feathers.  It is a perfect length which sits below the neck and ends with a spring ring clasp.

Size: 18.5" Long - Stone settings .75" Diameter

These fun and fancy earrings will look like a fiesta on her ears!  The beads include stone, glass and an assortment of other types of beads.  Perfect for any day that a bit of uplift.

Size: 3" H x 1.125" W

This sterling silver bear is dressed for spring!  Natural blue and green turquoise, and red, orange, and purple spiny oyster shell are channel inlaid between thinly cut jet and sterling silver.  Designs on the back include two bear paws and a lightening shaped heartline.  More about bears and channel inlay below.  18" sterling silver chain is included.  Navajo handmade.

Size: 1" in diameter, includes bale

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.

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).

Zuni jeweler, Veronica Martza, made this simply elegant bracelet.  Thirteenn atural red coral cabochons were cut into long, thin, needlepoint shapes and set in sterling silver bezels.  Between each bezel is a tiny sterling silver ball on each side.  The sterling silver is rounded where the stones are and tapers flat at the ends.  "VMARTZA" and "Zuni" engraved inside.

Size: 5.25" L with 1.25 opening

This Navajo handmade 14kt gold pendant has natural turquoise, deep purple sugilite, blue opal, salmon coral, and jet in a channel inlay setting.  The 10kt, 18" chain is complementary. 

Channel inlay jewelry is a process used extensively by Native American jewelers.  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).

These Navajo handmade sugilite posts are set in 14kt gold.  Luscious!

Size: .25" diameter

These Navajo handmade, natural red coral post earrings are set in 14kt gold.  Tiny and luscious!

Size: .25" diameter

Navajo jeweler, Susannah Johnson, made this stunning sterling silver ring with a tear drop shaped, natural Kingman turquoise stone.  The bezel is surrounded with twisted silver wire and has detailed silver balls at the top and bottom.  The band is made to last lifetimes.

Size: 8 - Setting 1.25" H x 1.374" W

We love this sterling silver Navajo handmade Kokopelli ring!  The Kokopelli, spiral and border are cut out by hand, the edges filed down, and then soldered onto the oxidized sheet of silver.  The band is split shank.  If you love Kokepelli, you will LOVE this ring!

Size: 1.5" L x .75" W

This beautiful sterling silver with purple spiny oyster shell ring was made by Navajo jeweler, Samuel Yellowhair.  This seems so special with the transition of light purple to darker purple.  There is twisted silver wire around the bezel, with more detailed silver around that. 

Size: 6 - Setting 1.125" L x .75" W

Navajo jeweler, Jeanette Saunders, set a square black onyx in sterling silver.  On ech side of the stone are sterling silver wire loops and a detailed silver feather. 

Size: 10.5 & 11 - Setting .75" L x .575" W

Zuni jeweler, Harlan Coonsis, made this bold ring with salmon coral inlaid into jet.  This design always reminds us of a doorway leading to something wonderful!   The band is a triple split shank with "HM COONSIS" and "Sterling" stamped into the band.

Size: 7.5 - Setting .7" H x .5" W

Zuni jeweler, Carol Haloo, channel inlaid natural Sleeping Beauty turquoise in a lovely fish scale pattern - more about channel inlay below.  We love the transitions from lighter to darker turquoise, and the simple sterling silver setting.  Signed "C.Haloo" and Zuni" inside. Definitely a statement piece!

Size: 9.5 - Setting 1.25" L x .75" at the widest and .375" at the narrowest

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).

Navajo jeweler, Albert Tabaha, set stones that remind us of the promise of spring time!  Stones include gaspiete, jet, opal, sugilite, and turquoise. Imagine cutting stone as thin as the black lines jet and opal, and cutting all of the stones so perfectly that they fit together like a puzzle.  The band has detailing of steps on each side.  "AT" and "Sterling" stamped inside.

This type of inlaid rings should be taken off whenever one is washing their hands, taking a shower, or working the garden.

This gorgeous cigar band ring was made Navajo jeweler, Richard Jim.  It has so many wonderful details, including how the front of the band has four points on the top and bottom.  The large radiating star in the center and the two smaller stars on each side are made by the repousse technique.  The twisted wire on the top and bottom of the stars are coiled into spirals on each end, and the stamp work on each side and around the back is beautiful.  "Richard Jim" and "Sterling" stamped inside. We love Richard Jim's rings!

Size: 7.25

Navajo jeweler, Albert Tabaha, made this sterling silver ring with channel inlaid natural Kingman turquoise.  It is amazing work with extremely thin inlaid turquoise in some places.  Wow!  "AT" stamped inside.  More about channel inlay below.

Size 12 - Band .25" W in the front, narrows to .125" in the back

This sterling silver Navajo band is simply beautiful.  The band is half round with twelve lines (four sets of three) cut in, and four tiny holes drilled in between.  The lines and holes are all oxidized to turn them black.  It is stamped with a star glyph and a gently waved line inside.

Navajo jeweler, Jan Mariano, made this sterling silver ring.  The designs on the ring are made with stamp work and repousse (the raised parts).  This one could easily become your every day ring.  "J. Mariano" stamped inside.

Size: 5

A tiny shimmering moonstone is set the simplest sterling silver.  Made by Navajo jeweler, Dorothy Yazzie, we can imagine this ring looking beautiful on a baby's hand, or on a chain to be worn around the neck.  Maybe a promise ring for something good to come.

Size: .5

This Zuni handmade glowing gold lip Mother of Pearl is set in the simplest setting.  A small size 3 for a pinkie or a child's ring. 

Size 3 - .2" Diameter

Zuni jeweler, Tyrone Martinez made this beautifully simple inlay ring using traditional stones: Mother of Pearl, natural red coral, Sleeping Beauty turquoise, and jet.  It is easy to imagine a landscape in the layout of the stones.

Size: 5.25 - Setting .5" Diameter

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).

Zuni jeweler, Linda Chavez, set brilliant purple opal with flashes of blue into this heart shaped ring.  Perfect to share the love wit a beloved or yourself!

Size: 5 & 6.25 - Setting .25" H x .465" W

This striking sterling silver Navajo inlay ring has orange spiny oyster, natural spider web turquoise, jet, clam shell, and sugilite.  What a wonderful combination of colors!  The jewelry technique is channel inlay - more about that below.

Size: 4.5 - Setting .875 " L x .5" W

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).