Learn About the Art > About Contemporary Native American Jewelry
About Contemporary Native American Jewelry
One of the more popular Native American art forms on today's market is contemporary jewelry.
What makes contemporary Native American Jewelry so popular?
1. Native American Jewelry is Accessible
Contemporary American Indian Southwestern jewelry has enjoyed a long-running popularity due to the handsome nature and compelling ethnic quality of the work, the relatively modest price points compared with most fine jewelry (which translates into "good value" for the buyer), and to the skill and artistry of native jewelers and silversmiths themselves. Take a trip to Arizona and New Mexico for example and you will commonly find contemporary Native jewelry in shops, airports and galleries. Venture online and search for American Indian jewelry and your choices may seem limitless. (Though beware, in both situations you'll want to deal only with reputable dealers who know their inventory and ask honest prices). For nearly 150 years, silver and turquoise jewelry has proven to be extremely resilient to the changing markets and technologies, and has been supported by natives and Indian art dealers as both an art form and product for trade.
2. Native American Jewelry is Wearable
Created in nearly every size imaginable, Native American jewelry can fit on anyone, and can be worn for any occasion. Jewelry hand-crafted by natives today is commonly sized for infants, children, teenagers and adults of all sizes and shapes. The styles range from simple designs to very complex and ornate creations, and are appropriate for both informal (daily) and formal (special occasions) situations. Native jewelry can be enjoyed by everyone, and worn as often as one desires.
3. Native American Jewelry is Personal in Expression
Traditionally, Navajo Indian jewelry takes after the Navajo cultural spirit, and is bold in nature, featuring larger stone settings and deep stamp work. The Zuni tradition is known for fine stone work; small settings such as needlepoint and petit-point or more intricate stone inlay within Sterling Silver channels or within a mosaic framework, all of which express a more delicate or sometime ornate aesthetic. The people of Santo Domingo Pueblo traditionally create jewelry in mosaic inlay, involving multiple stones or shells cut and placed in mosaic fashion on top of another layer of stone or shell. The Hopi Indians of Arizona produce stunning Sterling Silver overlay jewelry, in which one layer of Sterling silver is hand-sawn and soldered onto another “background” layer of Sterling silver.
Each of these approaches to jewelry-making result in different aesthetics or “looks.” Consequently, the wearer of Native American jewelry can make a personal statement, be it privately or publicly, when choosing to wear a particular jewelry item. Whether you are timid or outgoing, meticulous or easy-going, there is a style for you in Native American jewelry.
All of our Contemporary Native American jewelry items are 100% authentic and hand-made. Since 1969, we have been sharing the stories and the history of American Indian silversmithing and jewelry making. We would be thrilled to discuss any of our jewelry pieces with you, personally, today.
To see our Contemporary Indian Jewelry for sale online, please click here.
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Navajo sand casting
Navajo sand casting is a traditional jewelry-making technique used by Navajo artisans to create silver and sometimes gold pieces, such as pendants, belt buckles, bolo ties, and rings. Developed in the mid-19th century after Navajos learned silversmithing from Mexican artisans, it became a hallmark of Navajo craftsmanship, blending cultural motifs with technical skill.
Process:
What makes contemporary Native American Jewelry so popular?
1. Native American Jewelry is Accessible
Contemporary American Indian Southwestern jewelry has enjoyed a long-running popularity due to the handsome nature and compelling ethnic quality of the work, the relatively modest price points compared with most fine jewelry (which translates into "good value" for the buyer), and to the skill and artistry of native jewelers and silversmiths themselves. Take a trip to Arizona and New Mexico for example and you will commonly find contemporary Native jewelry in shops, airports and galleries. Venture online and search for American Indian jewelry and your choices may seem limitless. (Though beware, in both situations you'll want to deal only with reputable dealers who know their inventory and ask honest prices). For nearly 150 years, silver and turquoise jewelry has proven to be extremely resilient to the changing markets and technologies, and has been supported by natives and Indian art dealers as both an art form and product for trade.
2. Native American Jewelry is Wearable
Created in nearly every size imaginable, Native American jewelry can fit on anyone, and can be worn for any occasion. Jewelry hand-crafted by natives today is commonly sized for infants, children, teenagers and adults of all sizes and shapes. The styles range from simple designs to very complex and ornate creations, and are appropriate for both informal (daily) and formal (special occasions) situations. Native jewelry can be enjoyed by everyone, and worn as often as one desires.
3. Native American Jewelry is Personal in Expression
Traditionally, Navajo Indian jewelry takes after the Navajo cultural spirit, and is bold in nature, featuring larger stone settings and deep stamp work. The Zuni tradition is known for fine stone work; small settings such as needlepoint and petit-point or more intricate stone inlay within Sterling Silver channels or within a mosaic framework, all of which express a more delicate or sometime ornate aesthetic. The people of Santo Domingo Pueblo traditionally create jewelry in mosaic inlay, involving multiple stones or shells cut and placed in mosaic fashion on top of another layer of stone or shell. The Hopi Indians of Arizona produce stunning Sterling Silver overlay jewelry, in which one layer of Sterling silver is hand-sawn and soldered onto another “background” layer of Sterling silver.
Each of these approaches to jewelry-making result in different aesthetics or “looks.” Consequently, the wearer of Native American jewelry can make a personal statement, be it privately or publicly, when choosing to wear a particular jewelry item. Whether you are timid or outgoing, meticulous or easy-going, there is a style for you in Native American jewelry.
All of our Contemporary Native American jewelry items are 100% authentic and hand-made. Since 1969, we have been sharing the stories and the history of American Indian silversmithing and jewelry making. We would be thrilled to discuss any of our jewelry pieces with you, personally, today.
To see our Contemporary Indian Jewelry for sale online, please click here.
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Navajo sand casting
Navajo sand casting is a traditional jewelry-making technique used by Navajo artisans to create silver and sometimes gold pieces, such as pendants, belt buckles, bolo ties, and rings. Developed in the mid-19th century after Navajos learned silversmithing from Mexican artisans, it became a hallmark of Navajo craftsmanship, blending cultural motifs with technical skill.
Process:
- Mold Creation: A two-part mold is carved from soft, fine-grained materials like volcanic tuff, sandstone, or modern substitutes (e.g., compressed sand). The artisan carves intricate designs—often featuring traditional Navajo symbols like squash blossoms, thunderbirds, or geometric patterns—into one or both halves of the mold.
- Preparation: The mold halves are clamped together, leaving a small opening (sprue) for pouring metal. The mold is dusted with a release agent (like talc) to prevent sticking.
- Metal Pouring: Molten silver (or occasionally gold) is melted in a crucible, often using a forge or torch, and poured into the mold through the sprue. The metal fills the carved design, capturing its details.
- Cooling and Removal: Once the metal cools and solidifies, the mold is opened, and the rough casting is removed. The sprue is cut off, and excess metal is trimmed.
- Finishing: The piece is filed, sanded, and polished to smooth edges and enhance shine. Artisans may add embellishments like stamped designs, stone inlays (e.g., turquoise), or oxidation for contrast.
- Texture and Look: Sand-cast jewelry often has a slightly textured, organic appearance due to the mold’s natural material, distinguishing it from machine-made pieces. The designs are bold and deeply etched, reflecting Navajo aesthetics.
- Uniqueness: Each piece is unique, as molds wear down after a few uses, requiring new carvings. Some molds are single-use, making certain pieces one-of-a-kind.
- Cultural Significance: Designs often carry symbolic meaning, such as protection, fertility, or harmony, rooted in Navajo cosmology and storytelling.
- Sand casting emerged after 1868, when Navajos returned to their homeland from internment at Bosque Redondo and began adapting silversmithing for trade and cultural expression.
- Early artisans like Atsidi Sani pioneered the technique, using tools acquired from Mexican silversmiths and later American traders.
- By the 20th century, sand casting became a staple of Navajo jewelry, with artisans like Kenneth Begay and Mark Chee refining the craft, often combining it with stone inlay or stamping.
- While traditional methods persist, some contemporary Navajo jewelers use modern tools like electric torches or pre-made molds for efficiency.
- Sand-cast pieces remain highly valued in Native American art markets, prized for their authenticity and craftsmanship. Collectors seek works by renowned smiths, identifiable by hallmarks (e.g., initials or symbols).