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Gibson Nez Jewelry- Navajo Artist

Posted by Maria L on

Gibson Nez Jewelry- Navajo Artist

Gibson Nez was a person who tried to do whatever he did well. Gibson Nez was a Jicarilla Apache-Navajo jeweler whose work was among the best in the world of Native American jewelry. Gibson Nez greatly  focused on whatever he was doing, and as we shall see excelled in more than one area. He was influenced by the best jewelers, and became one of them. He will long be and example in how to live life well. Gibson Nez was born May 16th, 1947. He became active as a silversmith in 1976 and worked at his art for three decades,...

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Navajo Ketoh Bracelet

Posted by Maria L on

Navajo Ketoh Bracelet

Navajo ketoh (pronounced gato) are works of Native American jewelers that really grab attention. The ketoh is a bowstring guard, originally worn on the wrist to protect it from the "snap" of the bowstring. Any archer knows they are necessary, even for the best archers, to protect from the occasional contact between the bowstring and the inside of the area that is holding the bow. Navajo ketoh can be made to cover the inner arm (partial arm guards) or the wrist (wrist guard). Today the Navajo Ketoh are used for ornamentation more than for practical archer's equipment. When shooting a...

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Navajo Coin Silver Jewelry

Posted by Maria L on

Navajo coin silver jewelry is the jewelry made when the Navajo first began making silver jewelry in the late 19th century. The Navajo got silver coins from the U.S. Calvary and the trading posts. The Navajo melted them down into ingots and other silver forms. They then would hand forge or hammer the silver into jewelry such as bracelets, hatbands, and "ketohs" or wrist bow guards. Navajo coin silver jewelry often had some faint residual impressions from the coin design. Navajo coin silver jewelry is very collectable and has a beauty of its own. The Navajo coin silver jewelry was...

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The Squash Blossom Necklace

Posted by Maria L on

The Squash Blossom Necklace

The squash blossom necklace is perhaps the most well known expression of Native American jewelry. The squash blossom necklace can be seen worn in Navajo celebrations and by Hollywood movie stars. Its development portrays a history of diverse civilizations. The squash blossom necklace can add a look of distinction, and owning one can be a great source of pleasure and satisfaction. First we will describe just what a squash blossom necklace is composed of. The squash blossom necklace contains round silver beads, large flowering silver beads(or squash blossoms), and an upside down crescent(or "naja"), at the bottom of the necklace....

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Orville Tsinnie Jewelry

Posted by Maria L on

Orville Tsinnie Jewelry

Orville Tsinnie was a person who took great pride in doing well whatever he did. This Navajo artist did not start silversmithing until he was 27 years of age. Orville Tsinnie was content as the Assistant Director of Personnel for the Navajo Nation, and took time for a visit to see his sister Roselyn. Roselyn was married to Horace Emerson, a Hopi silversmith. While visiting, Orville Tsinnie made a pin with inlaid stones. This was the beginning of his career as a silversmith! Orville soon left the inlay work and Hopi style. He then concentrated on a purely Navajo traditional...

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