Jewelry

Have a bit of sun with you all year round with these petit Zuni Sunface post earrings.  Mother of pearl, coral, turquoise, and jet are inlaid in sterling silver with twisted silver wire around the bezel.  

Size: .25" Diameter

Have a bit of sun with you all year round with these petit Zuni Sunface post earrings.  Mother of pearl, coral, turquoise, and jet are inlaid in sterling silver.  

Size: .25" Diameter

Need a little more light in your life?  This vintage Navajo handmade Lightening Bug Brooch might help!  Made from sterling silver which a patina that only comes from age, the antennae and legs are twisted silver wire and the wings have lovely stamp-work on them.  It was well taken care of by the last person to wear it and it was part of a collection of vintage Native American jewelry.  The pinback is horizontal on the body which would make it easy to wear as a pendant by threading a chain through it.  Made in the 1950s to the early 1960s.

Size: .375" H x 1.25" L x .75" W - Pin back is .75" L

What a beautiful reminder of spring to come! Bold and beautiful would define this butterfly pin/pendant by Zuni jeweler Angus Ahiyite.  Jet, natural red coral,  natural Sleeping Beauty turquoise, and gold lip mother of pearl are artfully inlaid in the wings and the body is natural Sleeping Beauty turquoise.  There is a loop for a chain and a pin back. More about butterflies below.

Size: 1.75" H x 2.75" 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.

Imagine this beautiful dragonfly on a hat, jacket, or shirt!  It can also be worn as a pendant with a chain slipping through the antennae loops. Lyndon Ahiyite from Zuni Pueblo made this sterling silver dragonfly pin/pendant.  It has inlaid natural red coral, gold lip mother of pearl, jet and natural Sleeping Beauty turquoise.  We love how the twisted wire flips up at the end of the body!  It has a pin back, and "LA" and "Zuni" are inscribed on the back.  More about dragonflies below.

Size: 1.875" H x 1.75" 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.

This heavy gage sterling silver snake chain has a lobster clasp.  It can be viewed on a pendant below.

Size: 18" Long and 226.8 grams

The bear pendant has beautiful overlay of brass and sterling silver as well as  impeccable stamp-work. The bale is larger which can be strung on beads or multiple strands of heishi.  It was made by Rosita Singer, the wife of the late Tommy Singer who was a very well known jeweler, both Navajo.  She signs her work T&R Singer in his honor. Sterling silver chain sold separately in Miscellaneous Jewelry. More about bears below.

Size: 1.25" H x 2" W  - does not include bale of .5" Diameter 

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.

Wearing this sterling silver ring by Navajo jeweler Chris Charley is like wearing a blessing.  The eagle feather is beautifully detailed and the quill is wrapped at the bottom with the silver strand lying across the feather - just like we would wrap the quill of real eagle feather. It has a double shank band and is sterling silver. CC and Sterling are stamped inside. More about eagles below.

Size: 7.5 - Feather 1.75" L x .75" W

The eagle is the most sacred of all the raptors since it sees the furthest and flies the highest.  It is a messenger which takes our prayers to the Creator and it is a blessing to see one.  

Do you or a loved one have trouble finding your keys?  With this key fob and attached key ring you can easily attach them to your purse, tote, belt loop, or wherever you can slip the pin through. Navajo jeweler Sally Arviso set two sky blue turquoise stones in the head of this safety pin, also making it easier to find, as well as an eagle in flight.

Size: 3.25" L x .75 W (does not include the keyring)

If you (or she) loves birds, and especially hummingbirds, this is the one! An eagle feather is beaded on each side. It was created by Navajo beadwork artist Wilton Hoffman.  He used raspberry, white, black, gray seed beads, and purple for the hummingbird. White leather is on the inside.  More about hummingbirds below.

Size: 5.5" with additional 1" opening - 1" wide

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 (or she) loves birds, and especially hummingbirds, this is the one! An eagle feather is beaded on each side. It was created by Navajo beadwork artist Wilton Hoffman.  He used raspberry, white, black, gray seed beads, and pink and purple for the hummingbird. White leather is on the inside.  More about hummingbirds below.

Size: 5.5" with additional 1" opening - 1" wide

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”.

These small post earrings have natural Sleeping Beauty turquoise set in the center of the sterling shadowbox making the sky blue color pop!  

Size: .375" Diameter

Natural Sleeping Beauty turquoise and red coral bring beauty to these small Navajo handmade naja sterling silver post earrings.  More about najas below.

Size: .5" H x .375" 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.

This Navajo handmade necklace comes with a pair of matching earrings. The necklaces is made of ten strands of turquoise, silver, bronze, and white seed beads. The beads end in sterling silver cones and a hook and eye clasp.  It is a much lighter weight necklace than those made of metal.

Size: Necklace 27" Long - Earrings 4" Long (includes wires)

Twenty-two hand-cut natural red coral stones are inlayed like bricks in this sterling silver bracelet.  The work is very fine. "Sterling" along with a hallmark on the inside: "GT".  Each year the price of natural coral increases due to the reduction of what is available.  The same can be said of natural turquoise. 

Size: 5.25" Long - 1" Opening - .25" W 

A sky blue natural natural Sleeping Beauty polished turquoise nugget also has dark gray matrix that is interesting.  It is set in sterling silver with twisted wire around the bezel and three silver domes at the bottom.  Sleeping Beauty turquoise is highly sought after around the world. The Sleeping Beauty mine is near Globe, Arizona and is closed to the public.  This pendant was part of a collection of Native American jewelry that we purchased in the 1990s.  It has never been worn.

Size: 1.75" H x .675" W

With Kokopelli on one side and a natural turquoise on the other, you can't go wrong!  Kokopelli was cut out by hand from sterling silver.  The other side has natural turquoise set in a sterling silver with a hand-stamped leaf and vines.  It hangs from an 18" sterling silver chain. This pendant was in a collection of jewelry that we purchased in the 1990s and has a patina that can be polished out, but we thought it looked cool.

Size: 1.25" H x .675" W

Two natural red coral stones are set in an oxidized sterling silver setting with a rim of shiny silver.  Small but very noticable!

Size: .5" H x .375" W

It's amazing that these stones are cut and inlaid into such a small sterling silver earring!  Natural red coral is on each side at the top surrounding Shimmering white mother of pearl. Below is a line of jet and below that is more mother of pearl.

Size: .25" H x .25" W

It's amazing that these stones are cut and inlaid into such a small sterling silver earring!  Gold lip mother of pearl is on each side at the top surrounding natural Sleeping Beauty turquoise. Below is a line of natural red coral and below that is more Sleeping Beauty turquoise.  

Size: .25" H x .25" W

You get two in one in this sterling silver Navajo pendant!  One side has purple spiny oyster shell in a graceful vine and leaf setting.  The other side is turquoise set in a shadowbox bear paw.  It comes with an 18" sterling silver chain. More about bears below.  This pendant was in a collection that we bought in the 1990s.

Size: 1" H x .5" W - include 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.

Bold and beautiful would define this butterfly pin/pendant by Zuni jeweler Angus Ahiyite.  Jet, orange spiny shell, natural red coral, green and blue turquoise, and jasper are artfully inlaid in the wings and the body is natural Sleeping Beauty turquoise.  There is a loop for a chain and a pin back. More about butterflies below.

Size: 1.75" H x 2.875" 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.

Navajo jeweler Lucille Platero created these sterling silver Kokopelli earrings.  The stamp-work is beautiful and the bright turquoise in the center is a lovely accent. More about Kokopelli below.

Size: 2" H (includes wires) x .75" W

Kokopelli images are on rocks along trade routes from the Southwest and into Mexico.  Many think that before he entered a village he played his flute to let people know he was arriving, and his rounded back was a pack containing the trade items.  There may have been generations of Kokopelli who traveled.

Navajo jeweler Lucille Platero made these Thunderbird earrings from sterling silver.  In the center of the body is a dot of turquoise. The eyes are detailed and the wings and tail are beautifully hand-stamped. They dangle from sterling silver wires. More about Thunderbirds below.

Size: 2" H x 1" W

Thunderbirds are intelligent forces of nature with the power of thunder.  They are associated with lightening and rain.

Navajo jeweler Lucille Platero made these horse earrings from sterling silver.  A dot of turquoise is in the center of the body. The eyes, mouth, mane and tail are detailed and the body is beautifully hand-stamped. They dangle from sterling silver wires. More about horses below.

Size: 1.5" H x 1.675" W

Many Native American people believe that horses were in North America before the colonizers arrived.  Many Native American people have special relationships with horses, and this was evident during the camps at Standing Rock to protect and defend the river.  They represent freedom and safety in travel.  And for those of us lucky enough to have had a powerful relationship with horses, they make wonderful friends.

Navajo jeweler Lucille Platero made these dragonfly earrings from sterling silver.  Below the head is a dot of turquoise. The eyes are detailed and the wings and tail are beautifully hand-stamped. They dangle from sterling silver wires. More about dragonflies below.

Size: 1.875" H x 1.75" 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.

Kewa Pueblo jeweler, Delbert Crespin, hand-rolled melon shell and turquoise to make this bracelet.  The beads end with a sterling silver lobster claw clasp.

Size: 7.5"

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.

Kewa Pueblo jeweler, Delbert Crespin, hand-rolled clam shell and turquoise to make this bracelet.  The beads end with a sterling silver lobster claw clasp.

Size: 7"

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.

The naja is set with 33 tear drop shaped red spiny oyster shell with a larger round one in the top, and a red spiny oyster shell flower with twelve spiny oyster shells that dangles in the center.  Each squash blossom has a spiny oyster shell flower on top with fifteen stones.  The squash blossoms are strung on double strands of handmade sterling silver beads that end in silver cones with a hook and eye clasp.  This necklace was part of an older collection of Native American jewelry and has been lightly polished.

Size: 29" Long - Naja 2.5" H x 2" W - Squash blossoms 1.5" H x 1" 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 of friendship on each end.

This may be one of our favorite squash blossom necklaces we've seen in a long time. The Zuni frog fetish and its setting is actually a brooch/pin that can be detached and worn separately by opening the ring attached to the naja. The sterling silver setting resembles a lily pad and sits in the center of the naja.  It was carved from mother of pearl with inlaid turquoise and red coral and was probably made by Georgette Quam.  There are a total of twenty-six squash blossoms that are strung on two strands of hand-made sterling silver beads. The beads end in cones and a hook and eye clasp. This older necklace was part of an older collection of Native American jewelry. More about frog fetishes and najas below.

Size: 24" Long - Naja 2.125" H x 2.375" W - Frog Setting 1.25" H x 1.5" W - Squash blossoms .875" Long

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 of friendship on each end.

Frogs begin life in the water as tadpoles, grow legs and, afterward can be on land or water.  They go through a profound transition and are related to water and land.  Female frogs lay many eggs at once and are associated with fertility.  The frogs are known to sing before the rains come in Zuni Pueblo.  During droughts people will bury frog carvings in the Earth to invite the rain to come.

This Navajo handmade traditional sterling silver squash blossom necklace has sixteen beautiful squash blossoms strung on two rows of handmade sterling silver beads.  The naja in the center was tufa cast, more about that process and about najas below.  Beautiful worn or hung in a shadowbox when not being worn to enjoy every day/  The beads end with a hook and eye clasp.

Size: 30" Long - Naja 2.75" H x 2.125" W - Squash blossoms 1" Long - Weight 320 grams

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. 

Najas are a prominent symbol in Navajo jewelry and are always the center piece in squash blossom necklaces.  We were 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 of friendship on each end.

The large sterling silver Peyote/Water Bird in the center is accompanied by twelve smaller Peyote/Water Birds. Small chips of natural turquoise and red coral are inlaid on each pair of wings.  Lovely stamp-work details their faces and tails.  Each bird is strung on a double strand of handmade sterling silver beads that end in a hook and eye clasp.  This necklace was probably made in the 1970s and was part of a collection of older Native American jewelry. Peyote or Water Birds are part of the Native American Church ceremonies. What a treasure! 

Size: Beads 26" Long - Large Peyote Bird 3.25" H x 2.5" W - 2.25" L x .75" W

This impressive large bolo tie can be worn or put in a shadowbox display case.  So many details which include the eagle head, wings, face, necklace, moccasins, sash, silver bracelets, and eagle heads at the ends of the sterling silver tips.  The stones include gold lip mother of pearl, turquoise, mother of pearl, spiny oyster shell, and jet. Each feather is detailed. The brown braided leather is in very good condition.  It would be easy to shine to the tips and silver with jewelry polish. This was part of a collection of older Native American jewelry.

Size: 40" Long - Eagle Dancer 5.5" H x 3" W - Tips including eagles 3.25" Long

Natural Kingman turquoise and natural red coral are nestled between gold leaves and flowers in a shadowbox.  Wonderful repousse details also grace the shadowbox which is oxidized.  Beautifully worked sterling silver surrounds it all.  The sterling silver tips are also handmade.  The braided black leather is in very good condition. Can also be worn as a necklace.  This was part of a collection of older Native American jewelry.  It has the patina that comes with age and can be easily cleaned with jewelry polish.

Size: 38" Long - Setting  2.75" H x 2" W - Tips 2.25"

The seven Kingman turquoise stones in this vintage Navajo sterling silver cluster bolo tie are the color of a spring morning sky.  Twenty sterling silver domes are interspersed throughout the setting and a hand-cut and hand-stamped silver border surrounds it all.  The sterling silver tips are also handmade.  It can also be worn as a necklace.  It has the patina that is sought after in older Native American jewelry.  It can easily be polished to a shine with jewelry polish.  The braided leather cord is in very good condition. This bolo tie was part of a collection of older Native American jewelry.

Size: Leather 39" - Setting 2.125" H x 1.75" W