Navajo silver smithing spread across the southwest, and was enthusiatically embraced by the Zuni Pueblo around 1872. The early Navajo designs have been constantly and gradually modified by the Zuni so that now they have their own very unique style. The Zuni have been skilled jewelry makers for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. Their traditional skills combined with the Navajo art of silver smithing has led to the beautiful inlay and needlepoint style that we associate with them today. The turquoise used by the Zuni represents different things depending on the color.
Blue turquoise is believed to be male and is of the sky.
Green turquoise is female and of the earth. The vast majority of turquoise used by reputable southwestern Indian artists are Jewelry Quality, High Quality, or Investment Quality. All are beautiful stones and worthy of the skillful silverwork into which they are set. See our selection of hand-made necklaces , earrings and silver bracelets . Our Acoma pottery is handmade by Caroline Lucario.