Native American Silver Metalwork Jewelry

One of the two general types of Native American jewelry is metalwork. Native American silver jewelry is now pre-eminent. The other type is beadwork jewelry. Beadwork, using natural materials like shells and turquoise, animal bones, ivory, was well-developed even in pre-Columbian times.

Metalwork jewelry, on the other hand, was relatively simple until after the arrival of the Europeans. Before new techniques were introduced and adopted, the primary methods of working metal were hammering and etching. The tradition began with iron, copper and brass and later moved on to silver.

The Spanish invaders introduced the technology of silversmithing. The Spaniards came to the southwest of the continent and the Mexicans learned from them the art and technique of silversmithing.

It is believed that the Navajo were the first American Indians to have learned silversmithing from the Mexicans. The Navajo, approximately numbering 8000, were imprisoned for four years at Fort Sumner, after being captured by Kit Carson in 1863. Some say that they did not start working silver until after their imprisonment.

There is a story of a Navajo called Atsidi Sani ("Old Smith"), who learned working silver from a Mexican after his release from Fort Sumner, and then taught his sons, who in turn taught others.

Another Navajo,named Atsidi Chon ("Ugly Smith"), is reported to have moved to Zuni some four years later, and taught the Zuni how to silversmith. The story goes that his Zuni friend, Lanyade, paid Atsidi Chon "one good horse" for teaching him.

Lanyade then moved around to sell his jewelry, and came to the Hopi. The skills were taught to Sikyatala, the first Hopi silversmith.

Much of present day Native American metalwork jewelry descends from the skills learned and practised by the Navajo, Zuni and Hopi Indians in those early times.

The Navajo are famed for their exquisite silver designs, inlaid with various gem stones.