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Do you have questions about your Native American sterling silver or gold jewelry and gemstones? 

Michael Anthony Cheatham, an Echota Cherokee silversmith and gemologist is here to try and help.  Feel free to post your questions for Michael here.

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

Authenticity certificates available upon request

 

Southwest Affinity

P.O. Box 50691

Albuquerque NM 87181

1-800-541-3170

270-639-5297

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Native American Sterling Silver Southwestern Jewelry and Artifacts by Southwest Affinity

Hallmarks and how to find information about my Native American pieces    

What is a hallmark?

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:  

If your just looking for information for fun and not for insurance purposes try these: (If you need this information for resell or insurance purposes click here:   

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:

American Indian Jewelry I, 1,200 Artist Biographies, by Dr. Gregory and Angie Yan Schaaf. Price $75.00
Quantity

The Beauty of Hopi Jewelry by Theda Bassman, et al. Available through Amazon.com. Around $12.00
North American Indian Jewelry and Adornment by Lois Sherr Dubin (Author) Available through Amazon.com.
Around $20.00

Treasures of the Hopi by Theda Bassman, et al, around $10.50, available through Amazon.com.

Turquoise Unearthed: An Illustrated Guide by Joe Dan Lowry, Joe P. Lowry
Around $10.00, available through Amazon.com.
Hallmarks of the Southwest (Schiffer Book for Collectors) by Barton Wright, available through Amazon.com around $45.00
 

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

CIAC Press
P. O. Box 8627, Santa Fe

NM 87504-8627

Phone: 505-473-5375
Fax: 505-424-1025
Email: indians@nets.com

 

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. 

Top

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:

Voice: 505-982-8148

Fax: 505-982-7048 

Email:  joancaballero@msn.com

Here is what you will need to provide her:

  1. Good, clear, in focus photographs of the object, including bottom of pottery, back of paintings, jewelry, etc.
  2. 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.) 
  3. 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

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

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

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