JEWELRY

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     One of the most characteristic and well known Native American jewelry items is the Squash Blossom Necklace. Most Squash Blossoms feature the familiar form of the inverted crescent known as the "naja". When Native American Indian jewelry is mentioned, the symbol that often comes to mind is the squash blossom necklace. These Navajo necklaces are the cornerstone of most Native American Indian jewelry collections
     When Navajo silversmiths adopted the crescent-shaped "naja" of the Spanish into their own artwork, the Southwest Indian squash blossom jewelry necklaces were silver only. Approximately in 1880, silver necklaces made by the Navajo consisted of plain beads hung with a pendant in "naja" form. Each half is domed by hammering the piece of silver in a wooden mold with a smooth round punch and then holes are punched in the center of each. The halves are soldered together. The bead is then buffed and polished; then the beads are strung. (The idea for hollow silver beads may have come from two button halves soldered together. The idea of buttons would have come from Spanish clothing decoration.)
      This contemporary Squash Blossom necklace is 26” long, and consists of two rows of silver beads. Fourteen silver squash blossom are attached. The central “naja” pendant is embedded with three Chinese turquoise stones. The blossom is represented with long petals beginning to open and a sphere attached at the base of the flower. It is thought to be a representation of the Spanish-Mexican pomegranate.

#JEW9111 -
Price: $495

     Louise Pete makes beautiful dangle slab earrings from red and orange spiny oyster and then inlays them on the bottom with sleeping beauty turquoise. Here are two examples.

#JEW994 -
A) Orange tear drop shape
Price: $33 SOLD
B) Red rectangular shape
Price: $ 33 SOLD

     I have been working with Kenneth for many years now. His brother Eddie was the designer of our hand pulled sterling silver chains. Sadly, he died recently. But Kenneth is known for his phenomenal stone work. He studied at the Institute of American Indian Art in Santa Fe from 1967 - 1971 and has been making jewelry for over 30 years. He learned the art of jewelry making from his mother, Ventura Aguilar. He and his wife, Angie Crispin create these wonderful necklaces together.
      This three strand 24" long necklace is made with orange, red, and purple spiny oyster. It also includes serpentine, and blue and green turquoise nuggets. It is so very colorful. Kenneth has made an outstanding, unique necklace. Every stone is separated by two small olive shell Heishi beads. It is beautiful work.

JEW5115 - 24” long
Price: $500

     This is a beautiful example of multi colored stones all working together in one piece. This is a 17" long graduated Kingman turquoise necklace with an added inlaid pendant – purple and orange spiny oyster, turquoise, jet, and lapis. The rounded drop with the triangular pendant is removable and be used on a ilver chain, or other beaded necklaces.

JEW10113 -
Price: $550 SOLD

     This is a gorgeous, lightweight 17 – 18” six strand jet necklace with an inlaid jet and silver round disc/pendant (17 - 18" long) It is very contemporary looking. It would be stunning on a black or white top.

JEW10112 -
Price: $550

     WOW ! Bright and vivid greens ! This three strand necklace is made from Nevada green turquoise and lime green serpentine.  Most green American Turquoise comes from Nevada. The “Hay Days” for mining Nevada Green Turquoise were from 1940-1990. Due to mining restrictions and the cost of mining most all mining of Nevada Green Turquoise has ceased and very little Nevada Green Turquoise is being mined. Serpentine stone comes in staggering variety of colors. The variations in color is the result of varied mineral infusions in the stone. The name has been derived from the color and appearances of the stone which resembles the skin of a serpent. These two green stones, when used in alternating placement on this necklace is simply gorgeous.

JEW17103- 19" long
Price: $400

     Here are three new pair of turquoise earring by Kenneth and Angie, Two of them are made from Kingman turquoise.The Kingman mine in northwestern Arizona is one of the largest turquoise mines in the southwest. Kingman blue has become a color standard in the industry. The mine became famous for its rounded bright blue nuggets with black matrix. Few turquoise mines produced nuggets, especially of this high grade. Natural Kingman is highly collectible.   

JEW17105 -
A) 3/4" long Kingman turquoise slabs
Price: $40
B) 3/4" long Sleeping Beauty and purple spiny oyster dangles
Price: $40
C) 2" long oval Kingman turquoise slab dangles
Price: $80

     Deep and beautiful – this three strand Kingman Turquoise necklace is stunning. It can be twisted or worn just flat. The Kingman in this piece is sensational.

JEW1114 -
Three Strand Kingman necklace - 19” long
Price: $500

     Jimmie Harrison is an award-winning Navajo jeweler who studied painting at the Del Debbio School in Paris, France. After returning home to New Mexico, he worked with the famous jeweler Preston Monongye, and began creating his own well-known intricate inlay pieces of art. Jimmie often uses his favorite designs of Yei bi chai figures, landscapes of the Navajo Reservation, and the night stars. His inlaid work is very elegant.
     Jimmie does some of the most uniquely shaped and designed inlay earrings. His striking color combinations are quickly identifiable as JIMMIE HARRISON creations! combinations of sujilite, dark lapis, coral and veined turquoises always make for interesting work.

#JEW1103 -
Turquoise, Lapis and Sujilite Earrings 3/4" long by 3/4" wide
Price: $150

     Myron Panteah is an award winning Zuni/Navajo silver and goldsmith who has studied engineering, which is reflected in his eye for exacting detail. He enjoys the design element of creating jewelry and is always trying something different. His imagination is unlimited and the uniqueness and beauty of his art is truly remarkable. All his exquisite pieces of jewelry are unique, often intricately decorated with symbols and figures using a fine hand saw. He works in both silver and gold and selects unusual, natural stones of high quality.

JEW973 -
A) 3/4" high earrings with gold spiral
Price: $135 SOLD
B) 3/4" high earrings with gold curves and dots
Price: $135

     Part of the famous Coriz family of potters and silversmiths, Daniel was born in 1964 and resides in the Pueblo Santo Domingo. He credits his mother, Nestoria Coriz and his grandfather, Lupe Pena for helping him get started; teaching him the basics of silversmith and jewelry making. Daniel has perfected his skills and has been crafting fine Heishi and inlay jewelry for over fifteen years. He has been featured in New Mexico Magazine and his work is on permanent display at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC.
     This is a magnificent 12 strand “Treasure necklace” of purple spiny oyster shell with coral, turquoise, spiny oyster, gaspeite and other stones. The colors work so well together. It is very full looking, because it is twelve strands, yet it is not heavy to wear. The treasure necklaces, comprised of a wonderful array of various stones is a terrific creation.

#JEW10111 - 26" Long
Price: $450 SOLD

     The colors in this SEVEN STRAND necklace caught my eye. The orange spiny oyster is so bright and sumptuous. I love the combination of added stones (abalone, lapis, and turquoise). Each spiny oyster bead is separated by brown Heishi shell. It is a magnificent piece.

#JEW9112 - 24" Long
Price: $425

     This is a shorter version of a “treasure Necklace” This one is a Nine strand necklace by Daniel. It consists of purple spiny oyster shell Heishi, Turquoise beads with orange and red spiny oyster as well as other stones. It looks great worn inside the collar. Adds a touch of color to any outfit !

#JEW2112 - 16"-18" Long
Price: $297

     These inlaid earrings are extremely beautiful. Using traditional stones and inlay patterns, he has added sterling silver to each one. They look quite modern, and they blend well with his Treasure necklaces, but work well on their own, as the color combinations are so complimentary to most anything you would wear.

#JEW2113
A) Predominantly green turquoise inlay earrings 1 ½” long
Price: $138 SOLD
B) Tear drop shape turquoise inlay earrings 2” long
Price: $138SOLD
C) Jet/spiny/turquoise/silver inlay earrings 1 ½” long
Price: $138 SOLD

     This is a lovely, long, 4 strand Heishi necklace by Santo Domingo jeweler Robert Coriz. Composed of shell, turquoise, and lapis, it is 28" in length. It is an interesting color combination, especially since the light colored shell is featured.

#JEW695 - 28" Long
Price: $150

#JEW2115 -
A) Ronnie Aguilar Green turquoise oval earrings-1 3/4” long
Price: $29.70
B) Ella Mae Garcia orange spiny oyster tear drop earrings-1 3/4" long
Price: $29.70 SOLD

     Wow ! Phyllis uses such beautiful colors in her work. Turquoise, orange spiny oyster, purple spiny oyster, pearl, and various shells. This pin/pendant can be worn on its own as a pin, or can be strung on a silver chain. The pin is 1" across and the matching earrings are 3/4" across.

JEW2102 -
A) Earrings
Price: $159 SOLD
B) Pin/Pendant
Price: $117

           Kee Yazzie is a talented young Navajo silversmith. His silver and gold jewelry is innovative and original. He uses only natural, fine turquoise gemstones including rare Lander Blue turquoise, Bisbee turquoise, and Lone Mountain turquoise. He also like working with high grade coral. Kee's jewelry is currently being featured at The American Museum of Natural History in NYC.     
      Kee has done a wonderful job with this handmade silver bowl. The stamping on the top is magnificent, and it balances so well with the plain sterling silver bottom. 

JEW9101 - ¾” high by 3 ½” wide
Price: $600 SOLD

           We so enjoy the earrings made by Kee. They are all different, and all creative.

JEW9103 -
A) Earrings with gold petroglyh - 1” high by ¾” wide
Price: $200
B) Silver stamped petroglyphs - 1 1/8” high by 3/8” wide
Price: $150 SOLD
C) Carved Silver earrings - 1 ¼” high by ¾” wide
Price: $120

     Using a light blue sleeping beauty turquoise, here is a delicate interpretation of the old style silver/turquoise squash blossom

JEW12529 - Navajo contemporary turquoise necklace
17" Long
Price: $208 SOLD

     Orange is THE color right now... and these spiny oyster earrings are terrific.

JEW583 -
A) 1" long cobblestone triangular and round spiny bead earrings
Price: $45
B) 1 1/4" long dangle 5 spiny oyster stone earrings
Price: $110 SOLD
C) 1/2" long diamond shaped cobblestone spiny earrings
Price: $36

     Here are two lovely pair of turquoise earrings in two completely different styles. The turquoise disc dangles are Santo Domingo, made by Emory Calabaza, and the other is a Zuni needle point floral pair, with a post backing. Both are beautiful !

JEW584 -
A) Santo Domingo dangles - 2" long
Price: $58.50
B) Zuni needle point earrings with sterling silver tips - 1 1/4" across
Price: $110 SOLD

     These sterling silver pins are exceptional. The stamping is nicely done, the shape and details of the dragonflies are wonderful, and the use of turquoise and orange spiny oyster shells is gorgeous. They would look so handsome on a jacket or coat, or blazer .

JEW1112 -
A) Sterling silver dragonfly pin with turquoise
3 ¾” long by 2 ¼” wide
Price: $160
B) Sterling silver dragonfly pin with spiny oyster
3 3/4” long by 2 ¼” wide
Price: $120 SOLD

     All three of these pair of silver earrings are bright, bold, and use beautiful color combinations…

JEW1113 -
A) Turquoise, coral, spiny oyster and veracite inlaid silver rectangular earrings by Roe Jaque (Navajo)
1” long
Price: $150
B) Oval Inlaid multi stone silver dissc by Phyllis Coonsis (Zuni)
1” long
Price: $90
C) Silver drop earrings with tooled ball and spiny oyster, coral, and veracite signed: Geneva GA (Navajo)
1 ¾” long
Price: $150

     Joe and Mary Calabaza, specialize in Super fine Heishi necklaces. They learned to make fine heishi from their grandfather, Patricio Calabaza. "He taught us how to take a simple piece of turquoise, mold it, and create a beautiful necklace. We started making our necklaces with a little heavier texture from turquoise, lapis, shells, coral, and other various stones, As years progressed, and over a long period of time and patience, we learned how to grind our stone to a finer quality.
     Each piece of necklace has its own special unique quality behind it. We take a lot of pride and joy into our work. This type of art work has been passed down for many generations as we continue to pass it down to our children and grandchildren. It is important to us that we keep our art work alive, because not only does it bring us joy, but it is a part of who we are."
     I was introduced to Joe and Mary by Russell Sanchez. He has been using their superfine heishi in his pottery, and it is just amazingly well crafted and beautiful. I am so pleased to add their work to our gallery. There are so few Santo Domingo jewelers who still hand drill each stone to create such a piece of beauty.
     Oh - what a deep and beautiful, rich red Italian Coral. Stunning worn on black, or beige, this four strand, coral and turquoise nugget necklace is so comfortable around the neck -- not heavy at all. What beautiful work by Joe and Mary!

#JEW0903 -26" - 30" expandable 4 Strand necklace
Price: $650 SOLD

     These new earrings use such beautiful color combinations. The dangles from Dean have the turquoise, stamped silver, and orange spiny oyster. The diamond shaped dangles from Alto have the turquoise and sponge coral in them. Very nice work !

JEW1101 -
A) Dean Sandoval drop earrings - 2 1/4"long
Price: $126 SOLD
B) Alta Sandoval earrings - 1 3/4" long
Price: $116

     Alice Slagle lives in New Mexico and has been around jewelry most of her life. She has been working as a sales assistant at a jewelry center since 1988. In August of 2006, she began working part time at Silver Sun Jewelry. She now enjoys making necklaces for them. She does her work at her home in To'hajiilee during evenings and weekends. She likes the creativity involved in working with both single and multi strands of different colored beads, and mixing them with sterling silver. It is a pleasure to show her work.

JEW#884 - This necklace is 24" long with silver beads separating al the multi color stones, and the earrings to match are 1" long
Price: $199 for the set

     Charlene Sanchez Reano was born in 1960, in the San Felipe Pueblo. She is an amazing mosaic jeweler. She started designing jewelry at the young age of 18. After studying at New Mexico Highlands University for a year, she then worked with a jewelry company doing inlay, stone cutting and setting. She married Frank Reano and became a member of the Reano family which also included Frank’s famous mother Clara Reano and his equally famous sisters Rose Reano and Angie Reano Owen. From these women Charlene has learned the trade and craft of jewelry and how to design beautiful pieces. Charlene's pieces incorporate contemporary ideas with traditional style and technique. While she designs cuts and places the stones, Frank finishes the pieces with grinding and polishing. The use of the finest quality stones and shells help her to create extraordinarily exotic, dramatically colored, sculptural jewelry.
      Charlene is now recognized as one of the finest mosaic artists working today. Since the early 90s Charlene has been winning many blue ribbons for her work at the Santa Fe Indian Market. Her exhibitions across America include Chicago, New York, Florida, California, Arizona, Indiana and now Australia. Charlene says of her work, "I use materials in my pieces that make people look! When they buy my work it makes them happy which makes me happy!"
     She is a delightful woman, and we are pleased to introduce her work to our gallery.
     This necklace has reversible inlaid “fingers” She made a pair of earrings to match the turquoise inlaid side. The set is absolutely stunning.

#JEW3111 -
A) Reversible Mosaic Necklace:
18” long (the longest finger is 2” long)
Price: $450 SOLD
B)Tear Drop inlaid earrings 1” by 1”
Price: $70

    Kathy Sanchez uses very beautiful stones in her earrings. Here are two pair -- one with three turquoise and one with three pieces of lapis. Nice, everyday earrings - 1" long - Reasonable and well made

#JEW474 -
A) Turquoise -
Price: $80
B) Lapis -
Price: $80 SOLD

     The two pins can also be used as pendants, as they each have a bale on the top. They are bright, and beautiful, and very much in vogue right now.

#JEW7501 -
A) Small Turquoise circle pin - 1 1/4" across
Price: $55 SOLD
B) Coral. Turquoise pin - 1 3/4" wide by 1" high
Price: $105

     Petroglyphs are such a popular image in Native American Culture. Here are two pins that display those styles.

JEW1165 -
A) Lon Parker Petroglyph Single Figure 2 1/2" long
Price: $135 SOLD
B) Navajo Petroglyph stamped Family Pin 1" high by 1 1/2 " wide
Price: $60 SOLD

     We like interesting color combinations in the Native jewelry, and these two pair of earrings show just that visual interest. The round pair is made with black hematite and then circular inlay of turquoise. The rectangular dangles are orange spiny oyster shell and beautiful light blue turquoise. Well made, and nicely shaped, both pair of earrings are lovely.

JEW398 -
A) spiny oyster and turquoise dangles - 1" long
Price: $90
B) round turquoise/hematite - 1/2" wide
Price: $65 SOLD

     These new Navajo made earrings both use beautiful green veracite. This stone work so well with black onyx and pearls. Both pair have sterling silver post backs. The onyx pair has nice silver roping around the stones, and the pearl pair has a more modern look. They are both about 1 1/2" long.

#JEW1263 -
A) veracite and black onyx
Price: $66
B) veracite and pearl
Price: $66 SOLD

     These two dragonfly pins are beautiful. The multi inlaid stones of coral and turquoise and mother of pearl was made in Zuni. It is 1 3/4" long. The 7 stone turquoise pin is Navajo made - It is 2 1/4" long and 2 1/4" wide. The shade of blue in this piece is very bright and dynamic.

#JEW264 -
A) Zuni Multi Color Pin
Price: $87
B) Navajo 7 Stone Pin
Price: $159 SOLD

     Here are three more beautiful pins that can also be worn as pendants. Beautiful turquoise and coral!

#JEW7502 -
A) Turquoise Star Burst Cluster Pin - 1 1/4" across
Price:$50
B) Coral Star Burst Cluster Pin - 1 1/4' across
Price:$50
C) Turquoise Round Cluster Pin - 1 1/4" across
Price: $50