David Tune: Jewelry That Considers the Southwest from a Different Perspective
- Santa Fe Sun Handmade
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
Some artists capture the beauty of the Southwest by recreating what they see. David Tune captures it by recreating how he sees it.
An accomplished silversmith of Creek (Muscogee) and Navajo (Diné) heritage, David Tune was born in Winslow, Arizona, before spending much of his youth in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. His professional journey began in 1976 after receiving a special jewelry commission connected with the March of Dimes. From there, he built a career defined by originality, technical skill, and an unmistakable artistic vision.
David's work stands apart from traditional Southwestern jewelry because of his remarkable cobblestone inlay. Rather than featuring a single turquoise cabochon, he meticulously shapes and fits dozens—sometimes hundreds—of tiny pieces of natural stone into intricate mosaic-like designs. Turquoise, coral, lapis lazuli, sugilite, mother-of-pearl, opal, and other materials are carefully combined to create colorful compositions that almost resemble miniature landscapes.
That comparison is fitting because many of David's designs are inspired by the Southwest as seen from above. An avid hot-air balloonist and skydiver, he has often described drawing inspiration from aerial views of mesas, rivers, deserts, and canyons. Looking down from the sky transforms the landscape into patterns of color and texture, and those same patterns find their way into his jewelry.
His pieces are also known for their bold hand stamping and heavy sterling silver construction. David has said that every stamp and marking incorporated into his work carries meaning, adding another layer of artistry beyond the stones themselves.
Like many accomplished artists, David's career has included challenges as well as successes. After earning numerous awards throughout the 1980s, he stepped away from jewelry while battling cancer. Following his recovery, he returned to the bench in 1994, bringing with him the same creativity and craftsmanship that had already earned him recognition throughout the Southwest.
Today, David Tune's jewelry is immediately recognizable to experienced collectors. His work blends traditional Native silversmithing with a distinctly contemporary artistic style, creating pieces that are unlike anyone else's. Whether you're drawn to his intricate cobblestone inlay, dramatic stamp work, or vivid use of natural stones, every piece reflects an artist who found inspiration not only in the beauty of the Southwest, but in seeing it from an entirely different perspective.
At Santa Fe Sun Handmade, we appreciate artists whose work tells a story the moment you see it. David Tune's jewelry does exactly that—turning sterling silver and natural stone into wearable landscapes that are every bit as distinctive as the Southwest itself.
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