Adventures in NM Jewelry

The draw to the Land of Enchantment was always a strong one from NJ. After each trip I would return with numerous photos of the beautiful landscapes and additional pieces of native American Jewelry to add to my growing collection. Wearing those pieces was always a reminder of my trip and love for NM.

The jewelry: I learned more about the craft of silversmithing and the differences between authentic and imitations. For example, quality pieces will be fabricated from Sterling Silver and most often have a mark that indicates either “925” or “Sterling Silver.” There may or may not have a stamp indicating the maker of the piece. If they are older pieces, some of the artists didn’t sign their work and some used a scratching tool to etch their name into the piece before having a “stamp” made to mark their work. However, not having a maker’s mark does not necessarily decrease the value of the piece if the design is recognizable to a collector.

Unsigned but very valuable:  

unsigned back of a pair of earrings which might have been passed over as less valuable

front of the earrings which show how much work was involved in creating them. High valued pair.

Carl & Irene Clark Navajo Silver Micro Inlay Yei Dangle Earrings, unsigned valued at approximately $4,000

The artist's mark is stamped in "Jim Harrison" and so is "Sterling"

This is an example of an etched Hallmark for Franklin and Verna Tahe.

I’ve always worn my jewelry with pride, and whenever I could, I asked questions about the artists behind the pieces that caught my eye. I quickly discovered that some of the stores I frequented were reputable vendors offering authentic, handcrafted pieces—while others had no real knowledge of what they were selling.

Fortunately, I had made some great choices and ended up with genuine pieces that held both cultural and monetary value. Supporting Native American artists is incredibly important to me, and that's exactly what trustworthy stores do—they ensure that the work they sell is authentic and that the artists are fairly represented and compensated.

Sadly, not all stores are honest. Some misrepresent their merchandise, selling mass-produced imports that weren’t made in the U.S., let alone by Native American artisans.

One of the most rewarding parts of visiting New Mexico is the chance to meet the artists in person. Whenever possible, I spoke directly with the creator of the piece I was buying. That personal connection adds so much meaning—and it’s just one more reason why New Mexico truly is enchanting. After all, where else can you meet the person who handcrafted the jewelry, you’re proud to wear?