Jewelry

These sterling silver Navajo handmade post earrings are Navajo handmade.  The turtle is sawn out by hand and soldered onto oxidized sterling silver.  More about turtles below.

Size: .375" H x .25" 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.

Navajo jeweler Genevieve Francisco created this sterling silver wolf pendant.  On the left side of the wolf is a flower and leaf.  Next to the flower is an onyx stone.  Dangling from under the flower are two silver eagle feather earrings.  It comes on an 18" sterling silver chain. More about wolves below.

Size: 2.25" H x .875" W

Wolves are intelligent, resourceful creatures that live in their own communities called packs.  They have excellent communication skills and are protective of one another.  The leaders of their community are called “alpha” and are usually males and females, although there are known to be alphas that are only females (yay to the matriarchy!).  The alphas are the only wolves in the pack who breed, and they also eat first.  They are the strongest and most intelligent wolves of the group.

Navajo jeweler Genevieve Francisco created this sterling silver wolf pendant.  On the left side of the wolf is a flower and leaf.  Next to the flower is an onyx stone.  Dangling from under the flower are two silver eagle feather earrings.  It comes on an 18" sterling silver chain. More about wolves below.

Size: 2.25" H x .875" W

Wolves are intelligent, resourceful creatures that live in their own communities called packs.  They have excellent communication skills and are protective of one another.  The leaders of their community are called “alpha” and are usually males and females, although there are known to be alphas that are only females (yay to the matriarchy!).  The alphas are the only wolves in the pack who breed, and they also eat first.  They are the strongest and most intelligent wolves of the group.

Shimmering mother of pearl is cut to exactly fit within the sterling silver channels.  Such precision!  They will gleam on her or his ears.  Zuni handmade.

Size: .375" H x .375" W

These Zuni handmade sterling silver heart earrings have natural Sleeping Beauty turquoise in the center of the shadowbox.  Sweet!

Size: .25" H x .375" W

Natural Sleeping Beauty turquoise is cut to exactly fit within the sterling silver channels.  Such precision!  These are petit earrings, small enough for a baby to wear.

Size: .125" H x .25" W

Handmade by Zuni jeweler Dorothy Natachu, a tiny red coral and an equally tiny turquoise is set in the center of the sterling silver hearts.  Perfect for any age, including babies!

Size: .125" H x .24" W

These sterling silver and natural Sleeping Beauty turquoise earrings are fit for a queen or a princess!  The turquoise is set in a shadowbox which highlights the stone. A tiny silver berry sits at the top which gives it a crown type appearance.  Tiny, Native American handmade.

Size: .25" x .25"

These sweet white shimmering mother of pearl heart earrings are perfect for children and adults.  The shell is set in sterling silver.  Made by a Zuni jeweler.

Size: .375" x .375"

This lovely sterling silver pendant was made by Navajo jeweler Samuel Yellowhair. The turquoise is a dark, rich color with a bit of golden matrix.  The stone is surrounded by twisted silver wire which is surrounded by a frame of delicately worked silver and three silver berries at the top.  Does not come with a chain.

Size: 1.75" H (includes bale) x .75" W

Bright spring turquoise blue triangles are set in sterling silver with twisted wire all the way around.  Handmade by Navajo jeweler Elaine Shirley.

Size: .5" each side

Navajo jeweler Doris Smallcanyon set natural red coral in this bow box squash blossom necklace.  The naja is set with three coral cabachons.  Each of the twenty box bow squash blossoms are set with coral cabachons and have delicate stamp-work. They are strung on double strands of handmade sterling silver beads.  The double strand becomes a single strand on each side which ends with a hook and eye clasp.

Size: 25" L - Naja 2" x 2" - Squash blossoms 1.25" L

This vintage flock of Peyote Birds are inlaid with natural turquoise and red coral chips.  There is a larger Waterbird in the center, with five smaller ones on each side.  They are strung on double strands of handmade sterling silver beads.  The double strand becomes a single strand on each side which ends with a hook and eye clasp.  The sterling silver the stones are inlaid into is in excellent shape with very few scratches which is rare.  We estimate this necklaces was made in the 1970s.

Size: 24" L - Center Waterbird 2.25" H x 2" W - Smaller Waterbird 1.25" H x 1" W

Blue and green Sky Horse turquoise nuggets are strung between small turquoise and matrix beads.  The colors are the rich colors of spring skies and forests - the photo doesn't do them justice.  The beads end with a hand made sterling silver bead and a hook and eye clasp.

Zuni jeweler Mary Ann Neha made these pink mussel shell earrings in sterling silver posts and backs.  The shell has a bit of shimmer to it.

Size: .25" x .25"

These petit jet and turquoise post earrings were made by Zuni Jeweler Rosaline Bradley. Set in sterling silver with sterling silver backs. The are small, yet dramatic.

Size: .25" H x .25" W

This sterling silver tufa cast bracelet was in a collection of vintage and older Native American jewelry and has not been cleaned or polished.  It has a polished natural Kingman turquoise stone set in the center of the radiating flower.  "Sterling" is stamped on the back. More about tufa cast jewelry below.

Size: 5.5" does not include 1.5" opening - 2.5" wide

Tufa is a volcanic stone which can be as dense as chalk and 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 in reverse to how the piece will come out.   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.  This process usually makes one piece of jewelry, but sometimes the mold is good enough for more than one piece. 

This bracelet was in a collection of vintage and older Native American jewelry. It has medicine wheel stamped in the center with additional stamp-work all around. There are thirteen what may be block turquoise "stones" set around the perimeter. Additional stamp-work radiates from the center on both sides and includes lightening, bear paws, and crossed arrows which is a sign of peace.

Size: 5.375" not including the opening of 1.5"

This bracelet was part of a collection of vintage and older Native American jewelry. It has not been cleaned or polished.  The stones look like natural, aged Sleeping Beauty turquoise with each one set into a shadowbox.  There are no stamps or initials on the back. More about tufa cast jewelry below.

Size: 5" not including 1.5" opening - .75" W

Tufa is a volcanic stone which can be as dense as chalk and 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 in reverse to how the piece will come out.   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.  This process usually makes one piece of jewelry, but sometimes the mold is good enough for more than one piece. 

This sterling silver Navajo sterling silver tufa cast bracelet was part of a collection of vintage and older Native American jewelry.  It has not been cleaned or polished.  More about tufa cast jewelry below.

Size: 4.75" not including 1.5" opening - 1.125" W

Tufa is a volcanic stone which can be as dense as chalk and 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 in reverse to how the piece will come out.   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.  This process usually makes one piece of jewelry, but sometimes the mold is good enough for more than one piece. 

These malachite earrings are perfect if you want to wear a spot of green! 

Size: .125" Diameter

Zuni jeweler Fred Cachini created a shadowbox with a raised edge to set the natural Sleeping Beauty turquoise in these sterling silver earrings.  The turquoise is carved in the shape of a pyramid and pops in the shadowbox!

Size: .375" H x .25" W

Zuni jeweler Fred Cachini created a shadowbox with a raised edge to set the natural Sleeping Beauty turquoise in these sterling silver earrings.  The turquoise pops in the shadowbox!

Size: .375" H x .25" W

This handmade, sterling silver dreamcatcher pendant was made by Les Walker Delaware Tribe of Oklahoma.  The sterling silver web is well spaced and has a turquoise bead in it.  The three hanging feathers are sterling silver.  It comes on an 18" sterling silver snake chain.

Dreamcatcher: 2.5" H x 1.5" W 

Navajo jeweler Sharon McCarthy set purple spiny oyster shell in a sterling silver setting.  The sterling silver chain is through a silver tube at the top.  The bezel has twisted silver wire around the stone with five silver balls as accents.

Size: 1.125" H x .75 W - Chain 18" Long

Navajo jeweler Sharon McCarthy set lapis in a sterling silver setting that has been oxidized to give it an antique feel.  The sterling silver chain is through a silver tube at the top.  The bezel has twisted silver wire around the stone with five silver balls as accents.

Size: 1.125" H x .75 W - Chain 18" Long