Create a New Trend with Liz Wallace Jewelry

Insect forms such as her trademark dragonflies and stone-set butterflies are common centerpieces for Liz Wallace’s jewelry collections. With a penchant for styles like art deco and art nouveau, Liz is able to create pieces that combine traditional Dineh themes with influences from other schools of design. Her diverse understanding and background in historic jewelry from across the world also gives her work diversity. Add to this, her knowledge in advanced blacksmithing, stone setting techniques, enameling, and other jewelry making styles, it is not surprising why Liz Wallace’s jewelry is so rich and iconic.

Liz specializes in elaborate heirloom pieces. Each of her handiwork is made from high-quality materials that ensure longevity, making them great investments that can stand the ages. Her extravagant pieces feature multiple materials, including a variety of precious stones, gems, and metals. Her jewelry making style is as versatile as her influences and incredible creativity. Many of her pieces are extremely versatile and work well with almost any fashion inclination.

Her turquoise pin pendants, brooches, and statement necklaces are perfect accessories to almost any outfit, making personal styles more interesting. Liz has an eye for choosing the best materials to bring her design visions to life. Her pieces are enhanced by naturally gorgeous gems that come from the best mines. Set in intricate silverwork and layers of beads and other interesting materials, her collections are definitely among the most exciting pieces you will see in today’s market.

The success of her jewelry line is largely due to her innovative designs, making her pieces very attractive to collectors from around the world. When buying authentic pieces online, always choose reputable stores authorized to market and distribute jewelry from today’s most renowned artists. This will help make sure that you are getting only the highest quality, authentic pieces, sealed and approved by their makers.

Various Ring Patterns Designed by Arland Ben

Navajo artist Arland Ben is known for inventing the use of small 18K and 14K gold petroglyph images, which he overlays on sterling silver to craft visually stunning and one-of-a-kind jewelry. He is well-known for working only with gold, but his sterling silver pieces are highly prized collectibles and considered rare, too. He creates unique patterns, even on small pieces like rings. Some ring patterns designed by Arland Ben feature the highest grade natural turquoise stones in the US, and he gets the gems from reputable and trustworthy suppliers of gem grade turquoise. Here are some of the various ring patterns he designed:

• Rare gem grade Indian Mountain turquoise on solid 14K gold over sterling silver – Arland Ben personally collected the Indian Mountain turquoise in the 1990s. The gem is naturally eye-catching with its lustrous electric blue color and black matrix, and it is one of the highest-grade turquoise found in Nevada, adding rarity and more value to the ring.
  
  Arland set the stone in the hand-chiseled bezel over a signature starburst design. The shank’s interior is stamped in a pattern resembling mountains. His hand-etched signature is found on the outside, and it has been oxidized and overlaid with solid 14K gold petroglyphs. Intricate symbols feature migration, antelope, a couple holding hands under the stars, lightning, and hands.

• Rare gem grade Candelaria Spiderweb turquoise with a petroglyph design – The gem grade red Candelaria Spiderweb turquoise was initially found in North Central Nevada several years ago, but only in small amounts. The pieces were hoarded, and only a few emerged. The stone used in this Arland Ben ring features a three-dimensional deep Calendaria blue color with complex red webbing. He set it in a one-of-a-kind hand-chiseled bezel, which bears his signature design. The shank is beautifully tapered, and the band is etched entirely by hand, oxidized, and decorated with 14 karat gold petroglyphs, which he cut and individually overlaid by hand.

• Ingot sterling silver ring – Arland Ben crafted wide shank manually by hand-rolling ingot sterling silver. He stamped the traditional revival style design using homemade tools.

The Commendable Craftsmanship in Sunshine Reeves Jewelry

Daniel “Sunshine” Reeves is the award-winning Navajo artist known for his art of silversmithing and for his ability to create one-of-a-kind art forms with his jewelry. His commendable craftsmanship is reflected in his work, making each piece more than just high-value piece or a collectible in a jewelry box. Every Sunshine Reeves jewelry is a masterpiece that features unique patterns from 10 to 20 different handmade stamps. No wonder his jewelry is collected around the world, not only in the US, but also in Korea, Japan, and Europe. Many of Sunshine Reeves pieces are exhibited in museums and galleries across America, too.

The craftsmanship of Sunshine Reeves earned him numerous awards, including the Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial and Santa Fe Indian Market. Today, he is among the top Indian jewelers whose creations continue to be prized by avid collectors. Apart from being known for his jewelry, he is famous as the creator of the lifelike miniature trains, which he crafted from sterling silver, the material he uses for his pieces. Sunshine Reeves jewelry is notable for its precise and complex stamp work. Some pieces easily draw attention to themselves with precious stones as their centerpiece.

One of his masterpieces is a bracelet, which features a Navajo rug pattern design and an oversize, eye-catching Poseidon Spiderweb variscite cabochon. The gem is notable for its light green hue and complex and tight black and chocolate brown spiderweb matrix, which appears in layers. Sunshine Reeves made the bezel by hand and surrounded it in twist wire over a heavy shank, which is deeply stamped in his signature style. The bracelet itself is an enticing statement piece that can make any collection more striking.

Turquoise is another type of precious stone, which some pieces of Sunshine Reeves jewelry have. One of the notable pieces with this stone is a ring, which features a high-grade Turquoise Mountain gem. The exquisite sky blue hue is stunning with a chocolate brown spiderweb matrix. Sunshine added exceptional detail in sterling silver using crescent and v-shaped stamps.

Enrich Your Jewelry Collection with Vintage Turquoise Necklace

Turquoise is one of the types of precious stones used in Native American jewelry, and it’s easy to see why. Not only is the gem naturally beautiful and captivating—it is valuable to Native Americans for its life-giving and spiritual qualities. A Native American vintage turquoise necklace can be a great investment piece because it does not lose its value over time. In fact, its value may keep increasing as long as you take good care of it. This way, vintage turquoise necklaces are typically valued by avid collectors worldwide.

The stone is made of mineral compounds, mainly of aluminum, copper, and phosphate, or ferric iron and copper. Aluminum gives some types of turquoise its bright sky blue hue, and iron gives the stone some green-blue and deep blue hues. Copper makes turquoise greenish, and sometimes, it adds a mesmerizing labyrinth of golden brown matrix on the stone, too. Natural turquoise is highly preferred for its timeless beauty and durability. Hence, it is used in some of the finest Native American pieces, particularly those that are made with fine silver and gold. Zuni and Navajo craftsmen prefer natural turquoise to go with their gold and silver necklaces, as its fine quality goes perfectly with that of the precious metals they use to craft unique handmade pieces.

When shopping for a vintage turquoise necklace, always make sure that you buy directly from an established and reputable retailer of fine Native American jewelry in the US. One of the leading retailers of rare natural American turquoise and Native American pieces have been in business for over 40 years, and they supply the gems to renowned Navajo, Santo Domingo, and Hopi artists, too. Make sure the necklace comes with a certificate of authenticity to assure you of the artist’s name and tribal affiliation, the item’s retail value, and the materials used in the piece. Some retailers offer custom pieces, too, so be sure to check for that service in case you are looking to invest in a one-of-a-kind vintage turquoise necklace.

Complement Your Party Look with Jewelry Designed by Kee Yazzie

Avid collectors of Navajo and Native American jewelry in general should have at least one piece by Kee Yazzie in their collection. Not only are his creations beautiful and mesmerizing—they are also highly prized and valuable for being handcrafted and for featuring bright, eye-catching stones, like turquoise and coral. Hence, jewelry designed by Kee Yazzie instantly add color to any collection, while being versatile enough to be worn for special occasions, as each piece can easily complement any look.

The way this artist designs his pieces contribute to their appeal, too. For instance, some of his jewelry features the ancient petroglyphs and symbols found on the deep canyons of Ganado Arizona. He is able to convert the ancient petroglyphs into modern yet timeless pieces. Kee Yazzie creates his signature designs by cutting and overlaying dozens of layers of petroglyphs on his pieces. His background in design architecture honed his talent for overlaying with superb precision. He notes Norbert Peshlaki and Ray Scott as some of his inspirations for his art, and today, he is known for his fine overlay work, which earned him many awards at the Santa Fe Indian Market.

Kee Yazzie works mainly with silver, but he uses a range of materials to make his jewelry stand out. Rare gem grade turquoise is one of his commonly used materials that make his pieces attractive. Some pieces feature rare gem grade Mediterranean Coral, which is striking for its bright red hue. Some bracelets, like the bear design ring, has solid 14K gold over sterling silver, resulting in a highly-detailed piece that has a story to tell.

You can purchase Kee Yazzie jewelry online, but be sure to buy only from a reputable retailer that is authorized to sell his products. That way, you can be sure that you are investing in high-quality authentic pieces that are certified. A certificate of authenticity should assure you of his name and tribal affiliation, the retail value of the piece, and the materials he used.

Significance of Native American Jewelry by Aaron Anderson

Native American jewelry is collected and prized for its unique designs and appreciating value. Some of the best Native American pieces are made by well-known artist and Navajo silversmith like Aaron Anderson. He specializes in the tufa casting technique, which means that every cast is completely carved by hand, resulting in one-of-a-kind jewelry with no exact duplicates. Tufa is a material that is soft, so it can only be used once. Aaron Anderson typically provides the original tufa block with the pieces he sells as proof that they are one of a kind and will never be used again. Apart from tufa casting, Aaron specializes in the sand cast method for silver work, too.

Aaron Anderson’s jewelry has become synonymous with some of the finest Native American pieces available today. His passion for his work is showcased by his creations, too. His brand of Native American jewelry is a reflection of his identity, character, and life. Aaron’s designs are based on his strong Christian faith and traditional Native American themes. He attributes his knowledge and skills in the art of tufa and sand casting to his mother, Evelyn, and stepfather, Wilfred Henry.

Critics love how Aaron Anderson blends traditional ideas with contemporary styles. For example, he is able to create an eye-catching effect by using raised inlay and gem grade coral and turquoise. It’s easy to see why he has won a lot of blue ribbons in his lifetime, including ‘best in casting’ at the Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial. You can purchase his pieces from select venues like the Native Jewelers Society and the Santa Fe Indigenous Fine Art Market, and at established retailers of Native American jewelry and rare natural American turquoise. An authentic piece by Aaron Anderson is backed by a certificate of authenticity to assure collectors of his name and tribal affiliation, the retail value of the item, and the materials used.

Traditional Navajo Jewelry Designs for Occasional Wear by Thomas Jim

High-quality Native American accessories make excellent investments for your jewelry collection and for occasional wear. Traditional Navajo jewelry designs are in high demand among collectors, and Thomas Jim creations in particular are sought by jewelry aficionados. Thomas Jim is a Navajo artist who is self-taught and known for his intricately designed traditional Native American jewelry. His best-sellers include squash blossoms, belt buckles, bolas, and concho belts, but he is known for carving jewelry boxes, too. Thomas Jim mainly uses silver, but some of his creations have 14-karat gold in them, while others have both silver and gold.

Traditional Navajo jewelry designs by Thomas Jim stand out because of the artist’s ability to incorporate coral and turquoise in his pieces. He believes that each stone has a unique personality, which he takes into consideration when designing a piece. It is because of his craft and unique vision that he won a number of blue ribbons, including the prestigious ‘Best of Jewelry’ at the Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial, and ‘Best of Show’ at the Santa Fe Indian Market.

Thomas Jim uses a traditional style, but his creations stand out because of their fine turquoise or coral centerpieces. Likewise, he uses only the finest sterling silver, which is heavily and deeply stamped. The Candelaria blue spiderweb turquoise bracelet is an example of one of his finest works. It is characterized by deeply stamped sterling silver centered around a mesmerizing gem, which radiates a brilliant shine with its chocolate and gold spiderweb matrix. The cabochon was thickly cut in a domed shape. The bezel is hand-chiseled and surrounded by thick twist wire.

The Pilot Mountain spiderweb turquoise bolo tie is another masterpiece. It features a dazzling and dynamic stone set in a hand-chiseled bezel while being surrounded with twisted wire and a complex design unique to Thomas Jim. Even the cord is handmade, and it features two keepers on both sides with a finely stamped design.