The Rising Tradition of Navajo Silversmith Preston Haley
- Santa Fe Sun Handmade
- May 8
- 2 min read
At Santa Fe Sun Handmade, we are continually drawn to artists whose work reflects both heritage and craftsmanship, and Navajo silversmith Preston Haley has become one of those names collectors increasingly recognize and seek out. His handmade Navajo pearls and sterling silver jewelry represent a new generation of Diné silversmiths carrying forward deeply rooted traditions of Navajo artistry.
Born in October 1996 near Gallup, New Mexico, Preston Haley comes from a family with a long history of Navajo jewelry making and is considered a fifth-generation silversmith. His introduction to the craft came through family teachings, particularly from his Aunt Ruby Haley, a respected Navajo artist known for her handmade Navajo pearl jewelry.
Ruby herself learned bead-making from her grandmother, Annie Bahe Begay, when she was only six years old. That passing of knowledge from one generation to the next remains one of the defining characteristics of traditional Navajo silversmithing, where techniques, tools, and artistic styles are often preserved within families for decades.
Preston began learning silversmithing during a difficult period. Ruby helped support his early efforts by purchasing silver for him so he could begin practicing and developing his skills. Over time, that opportunity evolved into a serious dedication to the craft.
Today, Preston Haley is especially recognized for his handmade Navajo pearls — sterling silver beads individually crafted by hand through a meticulous process involving shaping, soldering, sanding, oxidizing, and polishing silver. Unlike machine-made beads, authentic Navajo pearls carry subtle variations and textures that reflect the work of the individual artist behind them.
His jewelry also reflects elements of his personal life and upbringing in rural New Mexico. Several galleries note that Preston incorporates horse and cattle stamp designs inspired by ranching and livestock work, while also continuing to use a stamp that once belonged to his great-grandmother Annie — a small but meaningful connection to earlier generations of Navajo artisans.
At Santa Fe Sun Handmade, Preston Haley’s jewelry has become increasingly popular among collectors who appreciate authentic handmade Navajo silverwork and the artistry behind traditional Navajo pearls. His work speaks to both longtime collectors and newer admirers of Native jewelry who value craftsmanship, heritage, and timeless Southwestern design.
Preston Haley represents the continuation of an important artistic tradition — one built not only on silver and stone, but on family, perseverance, and generations of knowledge passed carefully forward.
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