Native American craftsmanship encompasses a profound legacy of skill, artistry, and cultural knowledge, passed down through generations. Far beyond mere ornamentation, each piece of authentic Native American jewelry, pottery, or art tells a story of ingenuity, tradition, and individual artistic vision. At LomaSiiva, we are dedicated to illuminating the intricate processes and specialized techniques that define this rich heritage. This glossary serves as an essential guide to understanding the terminology of Native craftsmanship, offering insight into how these exceptional works are created.
Appliqué
A decorative technique where individual pieces of metal are cut, shaped, and then soldered onto a larger metal surface to create a raised design. This method adds dimension and intricate detail, often seen in Southwestern Jewelry.
Bench Work
A broad term referring to the foundational processes of creating jewelry by hand at a jeweler's bench. It includes sawing, filing, forming, soldering, polishing, and stone setting—all critical steps performed by skilled artisans in producing Navajo Jewelry and other tribal styles.
Bezel Setting
A secure method for setting gemstones where a thin strip of metal, the bezel, is formed around the stone's perimeter and then gently pushed over its edge to hold it in place. This technique is widely used across various Native American Rings and other pieces, protecting the stone while showcasing its form.
Channel Inlay
A meticulous technique where grooves or "channels" are cut into a metal base, and precisely shaped stones or shell pieces are fitted into these channels. The surface is then ground and polished smooth, creating a seamless mosaic effect, often found in Zuni and some Navajo work. Explore pieces like the .925 Sterling Silver Handmade Navajo Turquoise Stud Earrings 27104-4 which may feature similar precision.
Cluster Work
A distinctive Zuni Pueblo technique where numerous small, often teardrop-shaped or round stones (typically turquoise, coral, or mother-of-pearl) are individually bezel-set and arranged in a radiating pattern around a larger central stone or an empty space. This creates a dazzling, intricate effect, common in Zuni Earrings and Necklaces.
Heishi
A traditional Kewa Pueblo (Santo Domingo Pueblo) technique involving the painstaking grinding and drilling of small shell, turquoise, or other stone beads, which are then strung into smooth, uniform strands. The term "heishi" traditionally refers to shell beads, but now often encompasses similar stone beads. See examples in the Large .925 Sterling Silver Navajo Native American Graduated Heishi Natural Turquoise and Coral 3 Strand Necklace 16006.
Ingot Silver
Silver that has been melted down from raw material (often coins, hence "coin silver") and poured into a mold to form a bar or "ingot." This ingot is then hammered and shaped by hand to create jewelry, a traditional method that predates the widespread use of commercially rolled sheet silver. Jewelry made from ingot silver often possesses a unique weight and character.
Lapidary
The art and process of cutting, grinding, and polishing gemstones. Native American lapidary artists demonstrate exceptional skill in shaping turquoise, coral, jet, and other natural materials, often custom-fitting each stone to its unique silver setting. This precise work is fundamental to many Authentic Native Art pieces.
Overlay
A distinctive Hopi silversmithing technique involving two layers of silver. The top layer has a design cut out, and this cut-out piece is then soldered onto a solid bottom layer, which has been oxidized (darkened) to create contrast. The top layer is then polished to a bright sheen, making the design stand out. This technique is characteristic of Authentic Native American Pendants like the Eagle .925 Sterling Silver Handmade Hopi Native American Pendant 15919.
Repoussé
A metalworking technique where a malleable metal is shaped by hammering from the reverse side to create a design in low relief. The term is French for "pushed up." This method, often combined with chasing (hammering from the front to refine the design), creates sculptural elements in silver, frequently seen on Concho belts and bracelets.
Sand Casting
An ancient casting method adapted by Native American jewelers, particularly Navajo artists. A design is carved into a block of tufa stone or sand, which is then used as a mold. Molten silver is poured into this mold, and once cooled, the silver piece is removed and finished by hand. This technique results in pieces with a distinctive, often textured surface, such as many traditional Bracelets.
Tufa Casting
A specific form of sand casting unique to the Navajo/Diné, utilizing tufa stone (a porous volcanic rock) as the mold material. The artist carves the design directly into the soft tufa, creating a one-time-use mold. This technique imbues each piece with a unique texture derived from the stone, making it highly prized for its individuality and connection to the earth.