Native American southwestern sterling silver jewelry is as varied as it is beautiful. Both the modern and old  handcrafted silver jewelry, is unique in today's retail market. The silver artisans, the marks, and the age of the southwestern native American silver jewelry are discussed.

Famous Navajo Silver Artisan Billy Betoney Cuff Bracelet

Navajo Jewelry:
Dates back to the 1800's, with the first silver used from melted coins. Made for personal use, silver jewelry was rarely marked and utilized only turquoise and petrified wood through the 1940's.Early Navajo jewelry used simple stampings and was elegant in its simplicity. Unique to Navajo jewelry is sand casting ; pouring molten silver into carved tufa.Today, the Navajo mark their jewelry with "sterling" as well as their name, or their initials.

Navajo Bridle Button on a Silver Necklace

Squash Blossom Necklaces:

Early squash blossom necklaces were made of silver only and mostly unsigned. The bottom crescent is called the "naja". Turquoise was added later with the best turquoise coming from Lone Mountain, Nevada,  Bisbee, Arizona and Los Cerillos, New Mexico. Each mine produced a different turquoise with colors ranging from sky blue to green.The matrix ( other minerals) or the lack of help determine the origin of the turquoise.A good modern squash blossom necklace is strung on silver chain and is a serious financial purchase.

Beautiful Turquoise Squash Blossom Necklace

Hopi Jewelry:
Hopi jewelry also began in the late 1800's. Most famous for their overlay work and oxidized black backgrounds, expect to see stylized symbols representing elements of their spiritual lives. Hopi artisans often use symbols and initials to mark their silver. Charles Laloma was the greatest modern innovator of Hopi silver jewelry. Internationally known, his jewelry is in the Smithsonian.

Hopi Overlay Bracelet

Zuni Jewelry:

Known for their intricate inlays and the use of animal fetishes in their jewelry, the Zuni's work is precise and eye catching. Fetish necklaces are carved stone animal figures, often set on multiple strands. The detail of the carvings and the number of strands effect the price of the necklaces. Another of their specialties is petit point, the use of small inset slivers of turquoise. A true labor of love!

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