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Native American Hallmarks

Hallmarks identify the jewelry maker. Many times they are just simple letter stamps. They are not something new, but can be traced back to the 4th Century. Famous American metal smiths used them before we became a country. Paul Revere who warned the Colonial militia “the British are coming” during the American Revolution used a hallmark on his handmade silver pieces in the 1700s.

New Blog Posts

ZUNI: THE ART AND THE PEOPLE
2020/09/02 8:14 AM
ZUNI: THE ART AND THE PEOPLE   VOL I 1975.ZUNI THE ART AND THE PEOPLE VOL I., AND ED BELL, 1975.   When Squaw Bell Traders publishing first...
Posted in Fetish Carvings, zuni
What is the difference between Sandcast & Tufa Cast?
2020/09/02 8:10 AM
Sandcast or Tufa Cast You hear the terms sandcast and tufa cast used very often when referring to a technique Navajo silversmiths’ use to ma...
Posted in artist_aaron-anderson, Identifying Jewelry, Navajo Jewelry, sandcast, tufacast
Navajo Jewelry Making Techniques - Ingot
2020/09/02 8:06 AM
Jewelry Making Techniques - Ingot In-got /ˈiNGɡət/ (noun) – a block of steel, gold, silver, or other metal, typically oblong in shape. When ...
Posted in Identifying Jewelry, ingot, Navajo Jewelry
Kingman Turquoise - A Serious Look
2020/09/02 8:02 AM
Kingman Turquoise - Everything You Need to Know Nevada may produce the big money stones like Lander Blue Turquoise, Number Eight and Lone Mo...
Posted in Kingman Turquoise, turquoise
How to Identify Hopi Jewelry
2020/09/02 7:58 AM
Hopi Jewelry - What's Different Hopi is in a very remote part of Arizona. Also, it is surrounded on all sides by the Navajo Reservation. Tha...
Posted in hopi, hopi jewelry, hopi overlay, identify hopi jewelry
Tips to Identifying Navajo Jewelry
2020/09/02 7:53 AM
Identifying Navajo Jewelry In the Four Corners region of the Southwest you will find a number of different tribes. Many of these tr...
Posted in Identifying Jewelry, Navajo, Navajo Jewelry
Turquoise - Reference Library Part 1
2020/08/27 7:03 AM
TURQUOISE, JOSEPH E. POGUE. MEMIORS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMEY OF SCIENCES, 1915, Too Scientific for most tastes,. The subtitle tells the story, “A S...
Armadillo Zuni Fetish Meaning
2020/08/27 7:03 AM

In the Zuni culture fetishes play an important role. In Zuni culture a fetish represents the animal spirit thought to reside in the stone. If your collection includes an armadillo you may wonder what it represents. What is the Armadillo Zuni Fetish Meaning? The armadillo is slow and sure. Because he is reserved, he takes his time and does things right. He is keeper of the home and represents variety in a person's inner life. The armadillo’s leathery armor-like hide helps to protect them from predators. This thick skin represents his ability to offer protection from hurts and offenses.

Posted in Fetish Carvings
Aaron Toadlena
2020/08/27 7:03 AM

Aaron Toadlena Introduction Creation is perhaps the single word that best describes the talent of Aaron Toadlena. He and Eve, his wife of twenty-one years and their two daughters, two sons, and grandson, live with the four sacred mountains of his people the Dine' in the southwest highlands of Arizona.Aaron, understands that his talent is a blessing from the Holy People, with this gift he has sustained the livelihood of his family. All of the jewelry made by Aaron are stamped with a hand print, which is symbolic of the creators five finger clan. The ideas and creation ...

Posted in Artists, artist_aaron-toadlena
Alex Sanchez
2020/08/27 7:03 AM

Perry Null Trading: Did you grow up in Tohatchi? Alex Sanchez: Mexican Springs. I went to school in Tohatchi. Perry Null Trading: What year did you graduate? Alex Sanchez: I graduated in 1988. Perry Null Trading: You were State Champion in wrestling, what weight did you wrestle at? Alex Sanchez: I won at 167. When I was a junior I took third in State. Perry Null Trading: Did you play any other sports? Alex Sanchez: Football. We had some good teams, the best was my junior year. Perry Null Trading: What teams were in your District? Alex Sanchez: ...

Posted in Artists, artist_alex-sanchez