All Discussions - Perry Null Trading Co

Identifying Your Navajo, Hopi, & Zuni Jewelry, Plus Maker

Jason — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 17:20:05 -0500

Who made my jewelry? This might be a question we hear a dozen times a day, and the person who asks expects us to know. Sometimes we just don’t know and that is when the fun begins. It seems like the number of artists in this area is endless, so many talented people make gorgeous pieces of jewelry here. Gallup mainly sells Navajo, Zuni, and Hopi jewelry and that is what we sell here at the Trading Post.

So we just don’t know – Step One

Turn the piece of jewelry over and look for a hallmark or other markings. Many times we will recognize the hallmark, and if we don’t we have resources in the store that we refer to frequently.
Excellent for Hopi Hallmarks

Great overall source for Hallmarks, has some mistakes but definitely a must have

Really works well if you have the artist name and want to see images of style of work

The internet, of course make sure the source makes sense, but where else
can you find so much information

Step Two

General class the style. Big silver and large stones, good chance it is Navajo. Small stones, cluster, or inlay and you have a reason to believe the work is Zuni. The piece is all silver, overlay, and the bottom oxidized part has a very fine texture and you just might have a piece of Hopi work. Of course, you have Navajo, Zuni, & Hopi artists that don’t make the traditional style of pieces their Tribe is known for, but the number is definitely a minority.
Navajo artists make inlay jewelry, too. However, it usually looks a little different, like on heavier silver or a rough cobble stone style of inlay. The center piece is Zuni, the other two are Navajo made.

Zuni & Navajo cluster work. The heavier silver is a sign that it is Navajo made. However the two cluster pieces on the left represent a Navajo & Zuni artist.

Navajo on the left, Zuni on the right. A very subtle clue is the stone work, notice the Zuni work matches color and size a little better. Also, the Navajo artist just can't help but add more silver to the work, heavy around the stones.

Notice the big difference in silver, a Navajo piece will almost always be heavier silver construction.

Hopi and Navajo all silver pieces. The buckle is Navajo made, notice the design, the End of the Trail, just don't see that often if ever depicted in Hopi silver. Plus, notice the shine, the Navajo piece has a satin finish, the two Hopi an nice high shine.

Another Navajo made or not Hopi made clue, the etched oxidized background is just not as fine as you find on Hopi work.

Zuni and Navajo turquoise cluster pins. Very similar, but do show slight differences. The Zuni pride themselves on stone work and they do not like to show lots of matrix, the Navajo piece shows lots of matrix. Also, remember the silver, the Zuni piece (on the left) has that nice open design, the Navajo piece has the heavier silver look.

Zuni left, Navajo right. The far right pendant is a dead giveaway Navajo made piece, big and chunky.

Cluster rings can be very difficult, because you just can't get a bunch of stones or silver into the piece. The two on the left are Zuni, the stones show a little less matrix. The middle right ring is the easiest to identify because the stones are just a style you find in Navajo, usually purchased already cabbed where the other pieces have been shaped by the artist.

The free form shaped stone on the left is usually a Navajo made giveaway. Plus, coral and turquoise is found made by both Navajo & Zuni artists, but definitely favored to the Navajo.

Zuni left, Navajo right. The Navajo piece is easy to identify, big, heavy, and a nice free form shaped stone.

The Zuni piece has a cast shank with a silver leaf design on the sides, plus the stone is cut by the artist, not something you find in local supply stores, but still difficult to determine, luckily this one is hallmarked by Robert & Bernice Leekya. Typical Navajo style split ring shank.

Step Three

Hallmarks, just like the style of jewelry the markings on the backside can help to identify. Generally, Zuni & Navajo artists will use initials for their artist mark, exp. Roger Skeets will use an R and S stamp on the back of his work. Hopi artists will usually use a symbol, something like a snowflake or sun for example.

Hopi hallmark, a symbol

Navajo & Zuni hallmarks, initials

Step Four

Get some help. That is exactly why we started the forum, join today.

Whirling Log Rug 1920s?

addicts — Mon, 07 May 2012 13:44:31 -0400

Hello, As part of an estate, I acquired a few old Navaho rugs. Most of them date to the 1920s. This is one that I need help on. What is the design and approximate value? Measures 79" x 41". Outside of some minor fraying on the edges, it is in good condition. Thanks so much, David

Are these sterling silver

iaminyourhands — Tue, 08 May 2012 11:03:30 -0400

ZUNI KACHINA DANCER STERLING RING SIGNED G B NATACHU AND STERLING SILVER NECKLACE. My Mom told me she had met this great woman named Betty and they enjoyed each others company. Ms. Betty before my Mom died (she died of lung cancer) gave my Mother this set and told her she would be free soon. The great thing about this story is my Mom died 2 mo. later without even knowing she had lung cancer. Don't know if the story is true. But it is one my father still tells today 40 yrs later.

help identify RMT modernist style sterling ring

garmentexchange — Tue, 08 May 2012 18:29:42 -0400

can someone help identify this sterling silver ring?

it is clearly marked RMT and not sure about the other hallmark on it. i may try to take a better up close picture if i can.

thanks so very much!

help with hallmark on silver & coral ring

garmentexchange — Tue, 08 May 2012 17:12:36 -0400

can anyone help identify this hallmark?

it is a "P" with a broken arrow.

thank you so very much.

Are these sterling silver

iaminyourhands — Tue, 08 May 2012 11:04:07 -0400

Identification Help

larunner — Thu, 03 May 2012 21:51:26 -0400

Hello, I recently inherited this brooch and was hoping someone could possibly identify the maker for me? I am guessing it is Navajo and because the three center stones are faceted, I am thinking that it is a modern piece vs. older. The piece is approx. 2 3/4" X 1 3/4". I do love the the piece regardless of age. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much!

belt buckle & bolo tie initialed "OT" and "handcrafted"-any way to get info on the artist?

DixieDePrima — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 19:16:03 -0400

Just trying to find more info about the artist. I think theyre both from the 70's-80's. Can post pics if it will help

Identify this old Zuni bolo

Jason — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 23:20:38 -0400

This bolo has a bennet pat pend c31 clasp which was first used in the 1950s. the bolo has wear that suggest it would have been made in 1950s - 1960s. a classic zuni channel inlay style, very good design, it appears to be made by capable artists, which leaves me to wonder what great Zuni artists made it, any ideas.

Turquoise

Jason — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 12:29:21 -0500

Working in a pawn shop that serves the Navajo & Zuni Indian Reservations, which is the Heart of Turquoise Country, allows us to see hundreds of pieces of jewelry with stones (fake & real) in one working day. Plus, this is where the majority of Navajo & Zuni turquoise art is made. That means Gallup is a main stop on the turquoise dealers trail, selling these pieces of blue gold to the trading posts and supply shops in town, and lets not forget about red gold, coral. All of this means that Gallup is also a perfect location to peddle cheap knock offs of the real stuff and if you are going to stay in business in this town, one known for authentic Native American art, you better know the difference between real stone and the fake stuff.
Block Turquoise Pin/Stabalized Turquoise Pin?

Block Turquoise

Stabalized Turquoise

Turquoise is a soft material, 4 – 5 on the mohs scale, which means most turquoise can be scratched with a penny. So, it is very common for a turquoise dealer to stabilize the stone. There are many different techniques used for stabilizing turquoise, some even have a patent. Basically what is done is turquoise is introduced to a foreign substance that is going to harden and deepen the color, like a plastic resin. Stabilized turquoise is real turquoise that has been treated and is not considered fake turquoise, but is considered less valuable then a gem grade piece of turquoise. However, some stabilized turquoise can be expensive, an example would be enhanced blue Kingman Turquoise that is very popular with local artisans.
Compressed Turquoise left, Stabalized right

Kingman Turquoise left, Persian right

Block Turquoise beads with dyed web matrix

Stabalized Turquoise Cluster Cuff

Fake turquoise might have many of the same properties that a real stone has and this can make it very difficult to tell the difference. Some techniques take actual pieces of turquoise chips and compress them under extreme pressure to create what can look like a real piece of turquoise. Another techniques is taking turquoise dust or small pieces and gluing them together, that can look very much like a piece of Kingman enhanced turquoise. Then other techniques give you what is very common in the fake world, a block piece of blue plastic, might have some webbing from dye, and this is called block turquoise. Block turquoise is very easy to cut and shape and many times is found in small stone cluster work.
Plastic Block Turquoise

Plastic Block Turquoise

Plastic Block Turquoise

Plastic Block Turquoise

We have the advantage of seeing turquoise all day long and like anything, the more you see it the easier it becomes to detect the real from the not so real. Nothing can replace the experiences of seeing both real and fake. However, things you can look for are:

1. a plastic like appearance
2. scratch it, if a finger nail can scratch it, most likely it is not turquoise
3. look for imperfections, turquoise comes out of the ground and has a host rock and will reveal that in matrix. Some stones have limited amounts of host rock and can make this difficult, but refer back to 1 and 2.
4. fake turquoise is less expensive (in most cases) does the price reflect a lesser quality materail.
5. last, does it look right, a person’s intuition goes a long way
6. ask, we have a forum dedicated to your questions
Natural Rough Turquoise
Every year we hear of local and state initiatives to keep imitation Native American art out of shops that advertise authentic Native American made merchandise. Many times one of the helpful clues on whether something is made overseas or here by a Native craftsman is whether the piece has real materials.

Navajo artist Pete Sierra

hdnwest — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 14:07:28 -0400

Hi Jason,
I recently acquired a fabulous corn row cuff bracelet by Pete Sierra. I know he apparently studied under the famous Charles Loloma, but that is as far as I have gotten. Can you give me any history of his work, as I would like to discover just how old this bracelet may be. Thanks Cheryl

who made this bracelet? - and when might it have been made?

dougcampbell — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 19:05:56 -0400

Have a bracelet that I just polished and found a mark on back- on front the star and bear(?) look like gold plated -
can anyone identify who made this and when?

Vintage Navajo Whirling Logs Rug

Shadowfax4 — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 01:04:23 -0400

I recently purchased a navajo rug, with the whirling logs pattern, similar to the one you have listed on your site (Navajo Crystal Weaving-Circa 1900s-Whirling Logs). It is predominately red, brown and tan and the same size as the one in your listing. It is a bright beautiful red color, but has a few small holes, in it. I loved it's look and did not care. I just had to have it. I was wondering if you could tell me how old it is and what the value might be, considering it's condition.

B. Natewa

Penni — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 22:39:19 -0400

I have one (sadly only one) old Zuni clip earring. It could be made into a ring though. It is marked B. Natewa. I would like to know something about him. I know his name is Bernal. Is he still living? How long has he been making jewelry? When I put the name into the search all I get are places to buy his stuff. I want to know about him and then might decide if I want to make the earring into a ring or sell it. Thanks. Penni Acosta

Hallmark EEZZ?

DaveJohnson — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 16:06:05 -0500

My mothers necklace, probably 1950, has the initials EEZZ engraved. Squash Blossom design, looks like Zuni workmanship.

Hallmark ID's - need help

real1234 — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 23:35:24 -0500

First three are from my Mother's collection bought in 70's. Second one is Hopi. I found the hallmark and now have lost it. Any help on these appreciated. Thanx.

Identifying Artist

egrace85 — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 21:41:05 -0500

I have two paintings that belonged to an Exxon executive. He had a summer home near Boone NC that was filled with native american art. Since his health was failing he moved out of that home and donated everything in his house to a local charity. I bought the two paintings from them. I am wondering if they are anything special. I can't figure out the artists name. I was wondering if you would know who the artist is. One panting is mixed media and 3D. The first painting is 66"x48" and the second is 60"x40". I might be traveling out your way in a few weeks and am wondering you would be interested in them. Thanks!

Zuni???

ytsur — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 15:11:08 -0500

Does anyone know if these are Zuni?

More Help Identifying

ytsur — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 18:47:21 -0500

Have some nice pieces but don't know anything about them. Thanks for your Help

Need help Identifying

ytsur — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 18:44:41 -0500

Have some nice pieces but don't know anything about them. Thanks for your Help

Help with Hopi Hallmark

real1234 — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 16:08:42 -0500

I have a pair of Hopi earrings and cannot identify the artist's hallmark and there seem to be 2 hallmarks. Any help?

Looking for Value and Information about Huge Old Bolo

jrfed17 — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 08:43:10 -0500

This heavy old bolo is 5 1/2 inches long, 4 inches wide, and weighs 150 grams. Claws are inlaid with coral. "Handmade" and "Sterling" are stamped on the back. Hallmark appears to be a fish with 3 crosses or T's inside. The turquoise is a gorgeous deep blue-green. The arrowhead is shiny black, I'm guessing jet or onyx. I'd appreciate any and all information.

Ray Bennett? ring.

scout — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 01:54:43 -0500

This could be? Ray Bennett.

Three things:

He usually signs Ray Bennett or R. Bennett/Sterling, this is marked STERLING BENNETT.

But: Almost all sterling bolo ties are signed simply "BENNETT/PAT.Pending" and many are attributed to Ray Bennett - right or wrong I wouldn't know.

The motif is more "Western" and I didn't see any garnet jewelry out there by Bennett.

I was wondering if R. Bennett is still alive and if he is part of a Navajo jewelry dynasty, including Lee and Cecilia Mae Bennett?

This would be so great if I could find more information on this ring - Appreciate any information you can offer!

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Help with any information about this belt

jrfed17 — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 16:10:27 -0500

I would really appreciate anything you can tell me about this concho belt. Appears obviously old, the picture doesn't show the great patina. As you can see, there's a lot of interesting stamping and the hallmark (?) "OSAKI" is stamped on the back. I haven't been able to find anything at all relating to Osaki. Thanks for looking.

I would like some help in identifying this hallmark, believe Navajo

azsungal77 — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 15:47:36 -0500

This mark is on one of my mom's estate who collected over 35 yr. It is very faint but simple so I drew it out.

Help identifying Hopi silversmith's mark on belt buckle: turtle?

bwb22201 — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 18:59:57 -0500

The buckle is Hopi work, I think, and the mark looks like a turtle to me. Who might the artist be?

Would like to know the meaning of the symbols on a Hopi belt buckle

halbro — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:37:55 -0500

I recently bought a belt buckle at an antiques and collectibles show. It has a Hopi Silversmith Guild sun hallmark on the back, as well as a four pointed star with what appear to be teardrops on three of the four points (which is listed as maker unknown in Hopi Silver: The History and Hallmarks of Hopi Silversmithing).

I'm interested in what the symbols in the two repeating patterns on the buckle represent. Any guess as to the age of the buckle would also be appreciated.

Found Bracelet Metal Detecting

codyb156 — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 04:11:14 -0500

Hi, found this bracelet metal detecting the other day. Was found in Mississippi. Was 4" deep. Test positive for silver. 32.6 Grams. Best as I can tell there are no hallmarks or initials on it. The stones are very faded, appears to have been in the ground for some time. Any clue as to age or maker? I am asssuming Navajo. Any help would be appreceated. Thanks.

Help identifying Hopi silversmith's mark on bolo: spiderweb?

bwb22201 — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 19:05:38 -0500

This is Hopi work, I think, and the mark looks like a spiderweb. Who might the artist be?

Found Bracelet MDing

codyb156 — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 06:49:10 -0500

Hi. I found this bracelet while metal detecting this week. Was found in Meridian, Mississippi. Appears to have been in the ground for quite some time because of the fading of the stones. There are no hallmarks or letters on the bracelet that I can find. There is probably no way to ID it or find the age. Thought I would give it a try. Thanks