Behind the Scenes: The Journey Before the Jewelry - The Art of the Search
- Santa Fe Sun Handmade
- Jul 2
- 4 min read
Most people think of Santa Fe when they picture Native American jewelry. Its galleries and famous markets have certainly earned that reputation. But those of us who spend our days immersed in authentic Native handmade jewelry know there is another city quietly serving as the heartbeat of the industry.
That place is Albuquerque.
For us, Albuquerque isn't just another stop on a map. It's where many Native artists, traders, collectors, and retailers cross paths. It is a city where remarkable handmade sterling silver and turquoise wearable art changes hands every single day, where generations of silversmiths continue traditions passed down through their families, and where relationships matter just as much as the jewelry itself.
Every buying trip reminds us that this business has always been about people first.
The day usually begins the same way—with breakfast at Barelas, one of Albuquerque's beloved local neighborhood restaurants. Before a single piece of jewelry is examined, we're fueling up with authentic New Mexican comfort food. Whether it's huevos rancheros or tender carne adovada generously smothered in rich red chile, one thing is certain: no visit feels complete without one of Barelas' famously enormous homemade flour tortillas fresh from the kitchen. It's more than breakfast—it's a local tradition and the perfect way to start a long day of searching for extraordinary wearable art.
Then the treasure hunt begins.
Some of our visits last four hours or more at a single location. Not because we're slow—but because time has a way of disappearing when you're surrounded by extraordinary craftsmanship and good company.
Conversations begin with a simple "How have you been?" and before long we're catching up on families, discussing the latest turquoise discoveries, admiring new silversmithing techniques, sharing stories from the road, and celebrating another successful season. The jewelry may have brought everyone together, but it's the friendships that keep everyone coming back.
Eventually the work begins.
Tray after tray appears. Hundreds of one-of-a-kind pieces are carefully examined. We study silver work, inspect stone quality, admire the balance of a design, and imagine the collector who will eventually wear each piece. Sometimes a ring immediately feels destined for someone. Other times we'll spend twenty minutes deciding between two incredible cuffs, knowing we'll probably only have room in the suitcase for one.
Choosing inventory isn't simply shopping.
It's curating.
Every piece we bring home represents a decision made with our customers in mind. We ask ourselves countless questions.
Will someone treasure this for decades?
Is this artist doing something distinctive?
Does this piece have that unmistakable feeling you can't quite describe until you hold it?
Because every item is handmade, no two buying trips are ever alike. The piece that catches our eye today may never exist again once it's found its forever home.
One of the things we treasure most about Albuquerque is that it allows us to experience Native jewelry from every angle. Some days we're viewing collections assembled by respected dealers who have spent decades working within the Native jewelry community. Other days we're fortunate enough to purchase directly from the artists themselves, hearing the stories behind their latest creations while admiring the skill that brought each design to life.
Those conversations deepen our appreciation for every piece we bring home and remind us that authentic Native jewelry has always been about more than the finished work—it is also about the people who create it.
They deepen our appreciation for the artistry, the heritage, and the people whose hands shape every piece we are privileged to share with our collectors.
Of course, no buying trip is all business.
A visit to Albuquerque wouldn't feel complete without enjoying some of the city's iconic New Mexican restaurants. An Albuquerque favorite like Sadie's is always worth a stop for its legendary New Mexican cuisine, but somehow we find ourselves returning to The Original Azul on Mountain Road several times during every visit. Whether we're sitting down for lunch, enjoying dinner after a long day of buying, or relaxing over happy hour with handcrafted cocktails and delicious New Mexican specialties, it has become one of our favorite places to recharge. There is something special about lingering over a great meal while replaying every incredible piece you've seen that day and debating which treasures absolutely had to come home.
And then comes one of our favorite New Mexican traditions. Just when you think the meal is over, a basket of warm, pillowy sopaipillas arrives at the table, compliments of the house. Drizzled with honey, they're the perfect sweet ending to a memorable meal and another day spent surrounded by sterling silver, turquoise, and good friends. It's one of those little traditions that makes New Mexico feel so welcoming and keeps us looking forward to the next visit.
The Native jewelry community is remarkably welcoming. While everyone works hard, there is also an unmistakable sense of family. Faces become familiar over the years. Handshakes become hugs. Conversations pick up exactly where they left off months earlier. There is a shared respect for the artists, for the traditions, and for preserving the integrity of authentic handmade Native jewelry.
Most of our buying trips begin with an early flight to Albuquerque, where we spend long days visiting the places that have become familiar stops over the years. Flying allows us to maximize our time with artists and trusted members of the Native jewelry community before carefully packing our newest discoveries for the trip back to California. Only once each year do we make the drive across the Southwest—and that's for Indian Market in August. That annual road trip has become a tradition all its own, one we eagerly anticipate every summer.
When you browse the collections at Santa Fe Sun Handmade, you're seeing far more than beautiful jewelry.
You're seeing the result of trusted relationships, thoughtful conversations, careful selection, and countless hours spent with artists and respected members of the Native jewelry community. Every piece we offer has been chosen by hand with our collectors in mind.
Every ring, cuff, pendant, necklace, and pair of earrings carries a story long before it reaches your doorstep.
For us, many of those stories begin in Albuquerque—a city where Native jewelry commerce quietly thrives, where lifelong friendships are strengthened over cups of coffee, plates of red chile, and evening cocktails, and where every buying trip reminds us why we fell in love with authentic Native wearable art in the first place.
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