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.

Jennifer Curtis Jewelry: Best Sterling Silver Jewelry for Your Loved Ones

Jennifer Curtis is one of the most respected women jewelry makers today. She is no ordinary silversmith; whether you are a serious collector or someone who simply fascinated by Navajo culture, you are sure to fall in love with Jennifer Curtis jewelry.

Like other popular Navajo artists, Jennifer Curtis was also born to a family of silversmiths. Her father, Thomas Curtis, is a renowned artist who taught her everything about the trade when she was 8. Most of her works are inspired by her family and her homeland in Dinetah. They have stamps of different symbols that represent the beautiful canyons, the clouds, and even her grandmother's weaving.

Collectors and artists know Jennifer Curtis for her amazing stamp work and fine designs. She always uses heavy-gauge sterling silver, making her work distinct and readily identifiable. She does everything by hand, including bending the sterling silver wire and metal shaft. Jennifer is a master of mixing traditional with innovative styles, creating masterpieces that are classic but also current. Because of her outstanding craftsmanship, Jennifer Curtis has received many first-place awards at the prestigious Santa Fe Indian Market since 1994.

Bracelets, silver vessels, and wine goblets are some of the popular works of Jennifer Curtis. Buyers also love her earrings, rings, cuffs, and buckles. What makes her sterling silver jewelry pieces captivatingly unique is how they use rare turquoise stones of different colors. Her styles won't only appeal to avid collectors but also to stylish men and women who appreciate fine craftsmanship in contemporary and traditional jewelry.

Jennifer Curtis partners with jewelry shops across the globe so you can have quick access to her collectible jewelry pieces. Some of those shops sell online, too. If you are buying on the internet, make sure that the shop is one of the artist’s trusted partners.

Interesting Facts About Watson Honanie Hopi Jewelry

Thousands of years ago, Paleo-Indians began making ornaments out of the available materials their tribes had, and the tradition continues today. They continue transforming gemstones and precious metals into wearable pieces of jewelry that are sought after by collectors and Native American art enthusiasts. One of the popular names in this industry is Watson Honanie Hopi from the Bear clan, who is known for his stunning silverworks.

Watson started at an early age because of an  influence of his uncles in the Hopi Silvercraft Guild, who are Fred Kabotie and Porter Timecheand. His brother, Phillip, taught him the overlay technique.

What sets apart Watson Honanie Hopi's jewelry pieces from others are the images they depict. Most of his works portray the culture and tradition of the Hopi village and its tribal clans. You will notice that the expertly cut petroglyph images show ceremonial dancers, kachinas belief, and animals. His contribution to the development of gold overlay techniques has made him a famous innovator.

He sometimes incorporates stones and gemstones such as diamond and turquoise to make his pieces more alluring and unique. Though he is known for gold overlay, he also uses sterling silver in handcrafting rings, bracelets, pendants, and other types of jewelry. In fact, some of his pieces today have gold and silver overlay.

Watson Honanie Jewelry has won many awards at the prestigious Santa Fe Indian Market. He received the Best of Division for his concho belt, which incorporated three types of materials, namely coral, gold, and silver. He also received Best of Class in the same event.

It can be difficult to find a Watson Honanie Hopi piece as some of his works are displayed in galleries across the country, but collectors can still buy them. They are carried by exclusive jewelry shops that specialize in Native American jewelry.

Carl and Irene Clark Jewelry: Combining Luxury and Style

Carl and Irene Clark are the names to remember when it comes to fine and intricately detailed jewelry. They are particularly known for their micro-fine intarsia inlay pieces, which contributed to the innovation of jewelry under that criteria. Carl descended from Peshlakai Atsitty, one of the original Navajo smiths, and he founded the micro-fine inlay method, which is reminiscent of the 1930s art deco school. The technique gives Carl and Irene Clark jewelry distinctive pops of color that blend the design into depictions of different scenes and themes, like Monument Valley, rainbow man Yeis, and Navajo rugs. Likewise, it enables them to produce pieces that are both stylish and luxurious.

The water symbol is a distinct theme that is common in most pieces of Carl and Irene Clark jewelry. It is their trademark, too, considering that both of them are from water clans. You are likely to find their initials, ‘C’ and ‘I’ on the pieces, too. The Clarks have been making masterpieces since 1974. Carl is self-taught, and he shared his knowledge with Irene. They also taught their late son and Irene’s brother, too.

Carl and Irene continue to work together to create beautiful pieces by hand. They personally cut, assemble, and inlay high-quality stones. Irene fabricates silver and gold by hand, and she does most of the design work, too, while Carl performs tufa stone casting. They typically stamp the inside of the back of each piece and include a depiction of Yei, a traditional Navajo figure that represents a theme of ‘jewelry of protection’.

In the artistic sense, the Clarks use inlay as a means to depict an image, while the metalwork serves as the frame for that image. Carl and Irene Clark jewelry is not like any other American or European art deco or art nouveau style jewelry. They take pride in making their own creations and designs based on their traditional reflections.

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.