Award winning Gold Jewelry By Native American Artists

Metals have been used to make jewelry for centuries, and they often determine a piece’s overall impact, value, durability, and aesthetic. Gold is one of the most highly prized and timeless metals found in treasured pieces around the world, irrespective of culture or tradition. Gold may have started out as a payment method, but it became used in jewelry during Alexander the Great’s time. Gold jewelry continues to captivate the mind and heart of mankind due to its luster, and its universally valued and classic beauty, with some of the most unforgettable pieces handcrafted by talented award winning Native American artists.

Gold is naturally soft and may become deformed, so it is often mixed with other alloy metals like zinc and copper. Many of the popular pieces of gold jewelry by Native American artists are made with 14 karats or 18 karat gold, which are 58.3 percent pure and 75 percent pure respectively. Dina Huntinghorse, known for her themed jewelry, used solid 14k gold to create a bear pendant. The metal is placed over sterling silver to create an incredible contrasting look. Bears are important to the Native American culture, as they represent physical strength, courage, leadership, and protection. A sterling silver heart line runs along the center to represent the animal’s breath and life force.

Arland Ben is another award winning remarkable artist who often incorporates intricate 18k and 14k gold petroglyph images on his pieces. He overlays them on sterling silver to create attractive and one-of-a-kind jewelry. His highly collectible pieces of jewelry often feature the highest-grade natural turquoise stones found in America. An example would be the rare gem grade Candelaria spiderweb and Bisbee turquoise, which he used on a solid 14k gold over sterling silver bolo tie with a petroglyph design. The stunning and unique bolo’s petroglyphs and bolo tips are made of gold.