| Navajo silversmithing has roots dating back in | | | | During the early 20th century, The Fred Harvey |
| American history to the 1750s. Early British and | | | | Company promoted the manufacture and sale of |
| French traders distributed silver jewelry to Native | | | | Native American jewelry to tourists. By providing |
| American tribes east of the Mississippi River. As | | | | the metal and stones to the smiths, the Harvey |
| there were no silver mines in the Southwest | | | | Company could control the silver making process. |
| region, the Navajo traded with the Plains tribes | | | | Lightweight jewelry with "Indian" styles and |
| and the Ute Indians for silver and other metals. | | | | designs dominated the market. |
| Through trade, the Navajo were first introduced | | | | As demand for silver souvenirs dwindled during |
| to simple ornaments of varying styles and | | | | the depression era, the smithing trade was nearly |
| designs. In addition, Spanish-Mexican costume | | | | lost. After WWII, Navajo artisans participated in |
| ornaments and bridle trappings of the late 18th | | | | Federal educational programs, teaching their craft |
| and 19th centuries provided inspiration for early | | | | at various vocational schools. The 1960s and |
| Navajo artisans. | | | | 1970s saw renewed popularity in Navajo jewelry |
| The Navajo obtained actual silver working | | | | making. |
| knowledge from Mexican smiths around 1853; the | | | | Contemporary Navajo silversmiths appreciate the |
| first recognized Navajo silversmith was Atsidi Sani. | | | | importance of tradition, but draw on their |
| Early ornaments included buttons, bracelets and | | | | creativity to produce original and innovative styles |
| belt conchas, usually plain or decorated with simple | | | | in their jewelry designs. By experimenting with |
| punch marks. Copied from patterns found on | | | | new materials, such as gold and semi-precious |
| Mexican leather, the use of stamped designs | | | | stones, Native Americans have continued to |
| began around 1865. The use of stones, mainly | | | | expand the boundaries and scope of their craft. |
| turquoise and garnets, was introduced into some | | | | From its humble beginnings to the present, Native |
| pieces in the late 1880s. Soldiers at Fort Defiance | | | | American jewelry making has been a uniquely |
| and Fort Wingate provided silver dollars to the | | | | American art form. Today it is collected, worn |
| smiths. In 1890, defacing U.S. coins was outlawed | | | | and coveted by people throughout the world. |
| and Mexican pesos were substituted. | | | | |