THE HISTORY OF TOMMY JACKSON NAVAJO JEWELRY

Collecting Native American jewelry is more than just buying a rare piece of ornament. It is also about appreciating the art, the artists, and the entire Navajo culture. As you grow your collection, you gain more insights and develop a deeper passion. If you want to find out if the works of Tommy Jackson will suit your taste and your jewelry collection, then it’s important to do further research about him. Below are some important details to give you a good start:  

·         Tommy Jackson was from Arizona and is a full-blooded Navajo. Both of his parents were famous silversmiths (Martha and Gene Jackson). He fell in love with the art of silversmithing early on in his life.

·         He graduated with a degree of Elementary Education from the University of Arizona. Sometimes, he still visits Wide Ruins Community School to teach Navajo students not just about jewel-making or arts but also about history, culture, even reading and writing.

·         He is known for combining traditional and modern designs. He often incorporates precious gemstones like turquoise with silver, although he also uses gold and semi-precious stones like sugilite and gaspeite. He creates intricate patterns and makes sure that the stones are perfectly cut and finely polished.

·         He is a master craftsman, notable for his inlay techniques. He was also the mentor of another Navajo-artist named Jim Harrison.

·         Tommy Jackson is considered as one of the most-accomplished silversmiths in his generation. He got many awards and recognition from prestigious shows like Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Arts & Crafts Show, The Museum of Northern Arizona, Heard Museum Show, and the Santa Fe Indian Market. His works are also regularly exhibited in galleries and museums across the country like the Superstition Mountain Museum.

Aside from museums, Tommy Jackson also partners with reputable online jewelry stores. There, you can purchase his original works conveniently and securely.

Buy Exquisite Jewelry Online Designed by Andy Cadman

Coming from a family of artists, Andy Cadman began his career by making intricately stamped traditional Native American jewelry in his early 20s. He was initially known as the half-brother of Sunshine and Gary Reeves and the older brother of Darrel Cadman, but he began to make a name for himself by creating pieces that feature gem grade natural turquoise and sterling silver. His unique designs are considered world class with their fine and heavy stamp work. He produces jewelry in limited quantities, but you can also find his pieces at established and reputable stores that carry authentic Native American jewelry.

Pieces designed by Andy Cadman can be valuable additions to any collection mainly because of the materials he uses. Some of his prized pieces include earrings that feature precious stones like varascite. His rare gem grade New Lander spiderweb varascite dangle earrings make up a stunning pair, featuring gems that perfectly complement each other with their fine black webbing and stark white details. Andy hand-braided the wire and finished the droplets in a manner that emphasizes the stones.

Another remarkable Andy Cadman creation is a pair of natural rare New Lander Spiderweb varascite stone earrings. The stones come from Nevada, and they are eye-catching with their tan and olive hues complemented with a black and dark blue spiderweb matrix. Andy surrounded each stone with hand-braided wire and finished it with sterling silver round droplets at the bottom for a distinctive look. Andy Cadman carefully chooses the stones he works with, as seen in the rare light colored Easter blue turquoise bracelet. The three brightly colored stones are set with a lovely elegant and traditional design.

When buying Andy Cadman jewelry, always make sure that it comes with a certificate of authenticity that assures you the name of the artist and his tribal affiliation, along with the materials he used and the retail value of the piece.

Know About the Tufa Cast Method of Silver Casting

Tufa is a highly porous stone that, when used as a mold for casting, creates a unique texture. Tufa is often used by Native American artists in the creation of beautiful jewelry pieces. It was in the 1800’s when the Navajo artists discovered the tufa method of silver casting.

The labor-intensive tufa cast method requires artists to choose a stone of the desired size, which they then cut into half and rub together to create a flush surface. A hole the size of a cone is then carved on top of the stones (this is called the sprue hole). The sprue hole is where silver will be poured into. To help air escape and to keep the final bracelet cast from bubbling, other holes are carved onto the side of the tufa stone.

Once the mold is done, the artist will carve out the design onto the flat surface inside the hole. The negative space that has been carved away will then be filled with molten silver. Once the carving is done, the tufa stone will be carbonized with the use of a torch. The two halves of the tufa stone will be bound together with clamps.

After the mold has cooled, the hardened piece along with the excess metal in the sprue hole is removed. Some artists will clean and sand the tufa stone to recreate jewelry pieces. The final step in creating jewelry using the tufa cast method is the shaping of the metal. For example, bracelets will be bent to create a curve for the cuff.

The tufa cast method originated with Navajo smiths but has spread to other tribes and passed on to the following generations. Modern artists of make use of furnaces or gas torches to melt silver, unlike before when Navajo silversmiths had to fill up pottery containers with silver coins and then let them melt under embers of fire.

Shop Leo Yazzie Jewelry Comfortably and Safely Online

Leo Yazzie is a highly respected and well known Navajo silversmith and goldsmith. He was born and raised in Black Mesa, AZ, and he has been an artist for more than three decades. Many of his designs are greatly influenced by the rug designs of his late mother and grandmother. He is best known for his intricate cutouts, which reflect dramatic monuments and mesas of Navajo landscapes, and storm weaving designs. Most of his works are created in real gold and sterling silver, with exquisitely inlaid red and pink coral, natural turquoise, opal, lapis, and sugulite. One of the best ways to shop for Leo Yazzie jewelry is to go online.

Leo Yazzie pieces are highly collectible. To ensure authenticity, make sure you are buying them from a reputable store that is known for selling genuine Native American jewelry online. Verify the store's years of experience in the industry and what type of business it is. Some of the best retailers of genuine Leo Yazzie jewelry are family-owned and operated businesses with more than four decades of experience. To back the authenticity of the products they sell, these reputable retailers provide a certificate of authenticity with each piece of Leo Yazzie jewelry you buy. 

A certificate of authenticity assures shoppers of the name of the artist and the materials he used for the jewelry. It states the artist's lineage and the value of the item, too. This way, you can be sure that you are buying a highly collectible and authentic piece from a multiple-award winning artist like Leo Yazzie. The best retailers of Native American jewelry online have forged a lasting friendship with the artist himself, too. Hence, you can be sure that they have exclusive access to the limited and one of a kind jewelry of the artist. 

Once you have found the right online store, you can browse and buy Leo Yazzie jewelry comfortably and safely. Be sure to explore his selection of bolo ties and 14K gold over sterling silver rings, as well as his lovely collection of bracelets, belt buckles, and earrings online.

Buy Beautiful Darryl Dean Begay Jewelry from an Online Store

Darryl Dean Begay jewelry stands out from other Native American pieces due to the materials used and the way they are made. Colors are an important aspect of this artist’s creations and his designs usually reflect Navajo traditions in a modern, elegantly contemporary setting. He often uses lapis lazuli, exquisite and rare  turquoise, mother of pearl, and coral in his jewelry—whether they be bracelets or rings, necklaces or bolo ties. Having one of his creations will make your collection of Native American jewelry more valuable. The pieces themselves are one-of-a-kind, so you always know that you own something no one else has. You can explore a wide range of Darryl Dean Begay jewelry online. 

Buy only from online stores that are authorized to carry Darryl Dean Begay's creations. Look for an online store that is a known retailer of Native American jewelry and natural American turquoise for over four decades. This way, you can be sure that you are buying authentic Darryl Dean Begay rings, bracelets, and bolo ties. 

Another way to tell an authentic Darryl Dean Begay piece from fakes is to look for a certificate of authenticity. Reputable retailers of Native American jewelry will always provide proof to assure you of the artist's name and tribal affiliation. The certificate of authenticity should also indicate the value of the item and the materials used in making the piece. 

Artistry has been part of Darryl Dean Begay's lifestyle ever since he was a child. Ceremonial sand painting and weaving were a normal part of his daily life. Darryl began to make jewelry in 1997 when he learned traditional tufa casting. Raymond Yazzie taught him inlaying techniques, and Myron Pantaeh showed him the importance of patina, which helps bring out colors when used on silver. His creativity is easily reflected by his creations—like the rare gem grade Bisbee spider web turquoise tufa cast dragonfly bracelet. The piece uses a tufa stone precisely carved to form a bracelet shank, while ensuring incredibly clean detail. Dragonflies in flight are the main designs of the piece, but the bracelet's centerpiece is the rare Bisbee turquoise cabochon