What is Artist Made Jewelry?
Artist made jewelry refers to pieces handcrafted by recognized Native American artists, where the creator’s tribal affiliation, signature, and workmanship are documented. At LomaSiiva we curate these works with rigorous provenance, and you can explore the full range through our All Products collection. Many pieces also appear in the Navajo Jewelry category, reflecting the distinctive aesthetics of Diné artisans.
Acanthus Motif
A decorative leaf pattern of Mediterranean origin that some contemporary Native artists incorporate for visual contrast; it is not a traditional tribal design.
Bolo Tie
A Western‑style neck accessory that has been embraced by many Native artisans, often featuring silver hardware set with turquoise or coral. See our selection in the Bolo Ties category.
Channel Inlay
A precise technique where a narrow groove (the channel) is cut into sterling silver and filled with a stone such as turquoise or coral, creating a flush surface. This method is popular among Zuni and Hopi jewelers.
Heishi
Small, faceted beads—traditionally shell, but often turquoise or coral today—strung tightly to form intricate necklaces or bracelets. A classic example is the Large .925 Sterling Silver Navajo Native American Graduated Heishi Natural Turquoise and Coral 3 Strand Necklace.
Inlay
The broader category of setting stones into recessed metal, encompassing channel, mosaic, and stone‑inlay methods.
Overlay
Silver is soldered over a base layer to create raised designs; the technique adds depth without removing material. An illustrative piece is the .925 Sterling Silver Navajo Native American Natural Turquoise Necklace, where overlay patterns frame the turquoise.
Repousse
Hand‑hammered relief work performed from the reverse side of the metal, often combined with stamping to produce textured motifs. Many Navajo artists employ repousse, as seen throughout the Navajo Jewelry collection.
Sand Casting
Molten silver is poured into a sand‑formed mold, producing a textured surface that retains the grain of the sand. Contemporary Native artists frequently use this method; browse examples in our Bracelets category.
Stamping
Designs are impressed onto silver using hand‑held or mechanical tools, creating crisp lines and repeated motifs. Navajo artisans often stamp geometric patterns on earrings—see the Earrings category for representative works.
Tufa Casting
A casting technique that employs porous tufa stone as the mold material, yielding organic, slightly irregular textures. A notable example is the Eagle Sterling Silver Hopi Handmade Pendant, where tufa casting adds a natural grain to the silver.
Zuni Petit Point
An ultra‑fine inlay method where tiny stones are set into a meticulously prepared silver field, creating highly detailed imagery. Collectors often find such pieces within our Native American Jewelry Sets offerings.
LomaSiiva remains dedicated to educating collectors while presenting artist‑made pieces that honor tribal traditions and individual creativity.