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Big, Bold, Unmistakable: Tonya June Rafael. Navajo "Queen of Clusters".
Tonya June Rafael is a celebrated Navajo (Diné) silversmith whose bold, intricate jewelry reflects both deep cultural roots and a striking contemporary voice. She is originally from the Blackwater/Prewitt area near Gallup, New Mexico, where she continues to live and work, drawing inspiration from the landscapes and traditions of the Southwest.

Santa Fe Sun Handmade
4 days ago2 min read


Paul Jameson: Master of Navajo Pearls
Paul Jameson is a Navajo silversmith whose work captures the heart and soul of a family tradition that has been passed down for generations. Born into the Jameson family, known throughout New Mexico for their exceptional silversmithing, Paul’s artistry is deeply rooted in both heritage and hands-on experience.

Santa Fe Sun Handmade
4 days ago2 min read


The Silver Work of Ella Linkin: Heritage, Craft, and Distinctive Design
Ella Linkin is a Navajo artist whose jewelry reflects both deep cultural roots and a highly recognizable personal style. Born in 1954 in Gallup, she is a member of the Salt People Clan and born for the Water Edge Clan—an important aspect of identity within Navajo culture.

Santa Fe Sun Handmade
5 days ago2 min read


Spotlight: The Silversmith Legacy of Vernon Hale & Clarissa Hale
Among the many respected names in Native American jewelry, Vernon and Clarissa Hale stand out for their commitment to tradition, craftsmanship, and cultural continuity. As Navajo silversmiths, their work reflects generations of skill passed down through family and community, rooted deeply in the artistic heritage of the Navajo Nation.

Santa Fe Sun Handmade
Mar 242 min read


Lily Yazzie – Generational Navajo Pearl Silversmith
Lily Yazzie is a Diné (Navajo) silversmith known for her beautifully handcrafted Navajo pearl jewelry. Her work reflects the long tradition of Navajo silverwork while continuing the artistic legacy of the well-known Yazzie family of jewelers.

Santa Fe Sun Handmade
Mar 132 min read


Cliffton Aguilar – Santo Domingo Silversmith, Embracing Pueblo Identity and Tradition
Native American jewelry from the Pueblo communities of the Southwest reflects centuries of artistic tradition, cultural identity, and skilled craftsmanship. Among the artists contributing to this legacy is Cliffton Aguilar, a silversmith from Santo Domingo Pueblo (also known today as Kewa Pueblo) in New Mexico.

Santa Fe Sun Handmade
Mar 122 min read


The Silver Artistry of Leander Tahe, Navajo Silversmith
Among the many respected artists working in Native American jewelry today, Leander Tahe stands out for his powerful sterling-silver designs and dedication to traditional Navajo silversmithing techniques. Known for bold stampwork, repoussé designs, and heavy-gauge silver, Tahe has built a reputation for creating pieces that are both deeply rooted in tradition and strikingly contemporary.

Santa Fe Sun Handmade
Mar 112 min read


Gilbert Tom: Old Pawn Revival and Lasting Influence
Gilbert Tom was a highly regarded Navajo silversmith celebrated for his masterful revival of old pawn–style jewelry. His work is instantly recognizable for its intricate stamp work, substantial heavy-gauge sterling silver, and the use of high-quality natural turquoise. Each piece reflects a deep respect for traditional Navajo silversmithing while showcasing Tom’s own disciplined, unmistakable hand.

Santa Fe Sun Handmade
Feb 252 min read


Artist Spotlight: Gregory Segura, Santa Fe Silversmith
Gregory Segura is an award-winning precious metals artist and a lifelong resident of Santa Fe, New Mexico. His work is widely recognized for its technical excellence, material integrity, and cultural depth, reflecting both his Spanish and Native American heritage as well as the long tradition of silversmithing in the Southwest.

Santa Fe Sun Handmade
Feb 102 min read


Spotlight on Artistry: The Timeless Work of Silversmith Don Lucas
Every piece of jewelry has a story, and few stories are as rich and inspiring as that of Don Lucas, one of the most respected names in Southwestern sterling silver jewelry.

Santa Fe Sun Handmade
Feb 82 min read


Artist Spotlight: Monica Smith, Navajo Artisan Silversmith
Behind every piece of authentic Native American jewelry is a story—of family, tradition, and hands that have learned their craft over generations. One of the artists we are honored to feature is Monica Smith, a Navajo silversmith whose work reflects both heritage and heart.
Monica Smith lives in Gallup, New Mexico, and is proudly Navajo. Her journey as a jewelry maker began at a remarkably young age.

Santa Fe Sun Handmade
Feb 72 min read


Eddie Secatero Jr.: Carrying Diné Silversmithing Forward
Eddie Secatero Jr. is a Diné silversmith whose work reflects both family tradition and personal dedication to craft. Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Eddie was introduced to silversmithing at a young age by his parents, Agnes and Eddie Secatero. Learning directly from family instilled not only technical skills, but also an understanding of jewelry as a meaningful cultural practice rather than a purely decorative art. While attending To’hajiilee Community School, Eddie continu

Santa Fe Sun Handmade
Jan 282 min read


Vincent Platero: Navajo Silversmith with a Singular Voice
Vincent Joe Platero, Sr. is a highly respected Navajo silversmith whose work is immediately recognizable for its precision, depth, and unmistakable personal style. Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1957, Vincent grew up on the Navajo reservation of To’hajiilee, where silversmithing was not simply a craft, but a family legacy passed from one generation to the next.

Santa Fe Sun Handmade
Jan 263 min read


Betty Tom: Navajo Silversmith Rooted in Tradition
Betty Tom is a Navajo silversmith known for her dedication to traditional cluster work—one of the most recognizable and technically demanding styles in Navajo jewelry. Born and raised in Thoreau, New Mexico, Betty’s life and artistry are deeply tied to her community, family, and the enduring silversmithing traditions of the Southwest.

Santa Fe Sun Handmade
Jan 242 min read


Sunshine Reeves: Master Silversmith of the Navajo Tradition
Born in Twin Lakes, New Mexico in 1966, Daniel “Sunshine” Reeves was raised within a family of accomplished New Mexico silversmiths. He learned the art of silversmithing at the age of 24 from his older brothers, Gray Reeves and David Reeves—both respected artists in their own right. From this strong familial foundation, Sunshine Reeves went on to become one of the most distinguished and influential Navajo silversmiths in the country.

Santa Fe Sun Handmade
Jan 212 min read


Artist Highlight: Preston Haley
Preston Haley is a Navajo (Diné) silversmith whose work is widely appreciated for its strength, balance, and respect for traditional craftsmanship. An enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, Haley comes from a family of silversmiths, where jewelry-making knowledge is passed down through close observation, shared experience, and years of hands-on practice. This family foundation continues to shape both his technique and his approach to design.

Santa Fe Sun Handmade
Jan 61 min read
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