Jewelry Hallmarks

A hallmark is a stamped or carved marking on the back of jewelry or other craftable items that helps you to identify it's maker and/or silver or gold content. This is a rather simplified definition, but the purpose of this article is to help those seeking information about jewelry hallmarks to find information about who designed their particular piece of jewelry. Top

Why use a hallmark?

Hallmarks are a way of identifying the maker, time period things were made in, metal content and other related information. Hallmarks alone do not provide positive proof that you have a highly sought after designer's work represented by the hallmark it bears. These marks are easily copied and duplicated and can represent multiple people when just initials are used.

Having a certain hallmark doesn't guarantee authenticity or that it is definitely handcrafted by any one person. Hallmarks are but one way of identifying an item and who designed it. Also, some authentic pieces can be in circulation that never received a hallmark. The maker may just have forgotten to mark it or may have made pieces they didn't see the need to mark.

If you are seeking information for insurance or appraisal purposes, we recommend that you contact an expert in that field to actually look at the pieces in question. Below we will have some information as to where to locate such a person. Top

Can Southwest Affinity identify a hallmark for me?

We at Southwest Affinity are not qualified appraisers or jewelry historians, however, we are able to refer to sources that can assist you. We also offer a list of hallmarks based on silversmiths that we know and are familiar with and hope that it is informative for those that purchase jewelry from us. For a list of our silversmith's hallmarks click here: Silversmith's hallmarks

For those of you seeking to identify a piece of jewelry that you have, that was not purchased through Southwest Affinity, we have provided a list of options below to assist you in your search. Top

How can I find out more about my jewelry and hallmark?

First, if you purchase your Native American jewelry from us there is a list of our known silversmith hallmark's below. We are not experts in this field, but we will direct you to people and sources that are. No matter if your interest in hallmarks is just for fun and personal knowledge or for an expert appraisal, you should be able to find the information in the following sources:

American Indian Jewelers #1, 1200 Artists Biographies, by Dr. Gregory & Angie Yan Schaaf. - It's a great book and we highly recommend it. It has all their bios, photographs and hallmark information. Dr. Schaaf organization is The Center for Indigenous Arts and Cultures. Due to the high number of people that contact us requesting this information we are now making signed copies of this book available for your convenience. However, you may be able to find a copy at your local library.

Here is where you can purchase the American Indian Jewelry I from us, and a list of other books that may contain the information you are looking for:

You can also try visiting Dr. Gregory and Angie Yan Schaaf website at: http://www.indianartbooks.com/ They can be reached at:

Another source you may try is The National Native Arts Network, website located at: http://www.atlatl.org/, email: atlatl@atlatl.org. They have files on NDN artists with their hallmarks.

Are you needing an appraisal for insurance or resell purposes?

If you are needing this information to determine value for insurance appraisal or resell purposes I highly recommend that you contact Joan Caballero, who is an expert in this field and teaches, does public lectures and presentations, appears on the PBS Antique Road show as an expert and is a member of several professional appraising organizations. Joan Caballero is very qualified and you can learn more about her here at her web site: Joan Caballero Appraisals. You can reach Joan Caballero at:

Good, clear, in focus photographs of the object, including bottom of pottery, back of paintings, jewelry, etc.
If you know this information she will want to know where it was it purchased and for how much. She will also want to know the purpose for which the appraisal is needed (resale, insurance, etc.)
Measurements, distinguishing marks, etc.

Send her the above information with a request for a quote, so she will know what your looking for and be able to give you an approximate charge for her services.

There are people that offer free appraisals on the Internet, however, I would be cautious in this area. Some wish to sell your pieces for you, and may not be giving you accurate information that is best for YOU. If you are looking to sell a piece you feel has a value, please check with an expert that has nothing to gain from the information that they provide you. Top

You will find the hallmarks stamped on the back of your Native American jewelry. If you have purchased some of our Native American Indian made jewelry and do not find the hallmark in this list, please contact us for more information. Most of the silversmiths are Navajo, however, we do use Hopi and Cherokee silversmiths as well and have tried to note that beside their name. Top

Symbol	Artist's Name
AB	Alex Begay
AJ	Alvin Joe
AL	Althea Latome
Al Yazzie	Albert Yazzie
AV	Alvin Vandever
AM	Angeline Miller
AC	Anita Castillo
AP	Arthur Platero
A or what looks like 2 crowns side by side in a crescent shape	Annie Chappo
AY	Arthur Yazzie
BH	Barbara Hemstreet
BJ	Barbara Johnson
BB	Ben Begaye or Bernice Begaye
BE	Ben Etsitty
BR or Claw Symbol	Bennie Ration
BBF	Berna Francsico
BJ	Bessie Jake
BL	Joyce Francisco
BL	Bill Francisco
BW	Balinda Woody
/PZ	Bobby Piaso, Sr.
BR	Brian Francisco
BF	Burt/Kathy Francisco
CF	Consuelo L. Francisco
C.B.	Corline Baca
O.B.	Curtis Benavidez
DT	Delores Toledo
EB	Emma Bighand
EB	Edith Barney
EG	Elizabeth Guerro
E. Yazzie	Evelyn Yazzie
FB	Fred Baca
FR	Freddie Ramone
FC or F. Charley	Freddy Charley
FC	Fredrick Chavez
GB	Garrison Boyd
GC	Geneva Chavez
GG	Gertie Ganadonegro
GGJ	Gary Johnson
GW	Genieve Werito
GY	Geraldine Yazzie
HB	Harold Becenti
HL	Helen Francisco
HG	Henry Ganadonegro
HM	Henry Mariano
HP	Herbert Pino
IP	Irene Platero
LD	Lawrence Delgarito
L	Jeff Largo
LTB	Loren Thomas Begay
JD	Jeremy Delgarito
JDE	Jones Delgarito
J. Nelson	John Nelson
JN	Johnathan Nez
JJ	Johnny Johnson
JG	Johnson Gluerro
JP	Juan Pino
KF	Kathy Francisco
E	Kenneth Etsitty
KN	Kirby Nez
L. Ganado	Rose Ganadonergo
LP	Lena Platero
LN	Leonard Nez
LS	Lorenzo Secatero
L.U.	LaRose Ganadonergo
MP	Margaret Platero
MR w/Bear Symbol	Merie Ramone
M. Cheatham with a broken arrow on top	Michael Anthony Cheatham, Echota Cherokee
NC	Nila Cook
PP	Peter Padilla
P Sanchez	Phillip Sanchez
RG or RAMONA	Ramona Guerro
RIG	Reda Guerro
RF	Rosalina Francisco
RD	Rose Draper
RL	Robert Livingston
RJ	Rosita Jake
JS	Sampson Jake
S.B.	Shirley Baca
SB	Sheila Becenti
SJ	Selina Jake
SW	Sampson Werito
TC (what looks like a crescent moon instead of a full C)	Ted Castillo, Navajo
T.M.P.	Theresa Apachito
T.J.V.	Thomas Valencia
TG	Timothy Guerro
TG	Tony Garcia
VB	Vivian Barbonz
VBZ	Virgil Bzgay
V.C.	Victor Chavez
VE	Victoria Eriacho
VJ	Verdy Jake
VT	Vera Tsosie
A mushroom stamp	Royce Carter, Miami Tribe, Oklahoma

All southwestern jewelry, artifact replicas and pottery is authentic and purchase exclusively from members of IACA, Indian Arts and Crafts Association

Hallmarks and how to find information about my Native American pieces

What is a hallmark?

Why use a hallmark?

Can Southwest Affinity identify a hallmark for me?

How can I find out more about my jewelry and hallmark?

Are you needing an appraisal for insurance or resell purposes?

Native American Jewelry silversmith hallmarks you will find on our sterling silver southwestern jewelry