Native American Indian Jewelry from the Navajo, Zuni and Hopi Reservations

How to buy authentic Native American jewelry and art.

Red Rock Trading Company has been buying and selling quality Native American jewelry from Navajo, Zuni, Santo Domingo and Hopi silversmiths for over 20 years. There is an abundance of handmade sterling silver and 14kt gold jewelry set with semi-precious gemstones and shells. There is also a great amount of imported “southwest” jewelry that an unsuspecting buyer can easily mistake as genuine.

Buyer Beware! Companies and individuals who sell imported southwest jewelry do not always disclose that what you are buying is not Native American made. In fact, many shops are fined for knowingly selling imported jewelry as handmade Indian jewelry or selling synthetic turquoise, coral and other semi-precious stones as genuine. It is therefore important for collectors and buyers of Native American jewelry and art to educate themselves before making a purchase. It is equally important to develop relationships with reputable galleries who will take the time to share their knowledge with you.

Ask the right questions about the pieces you are interested in purchasing.

Where was the piece made?
What is the metal content?
What stones are in the piece?

Make sure you get a receipt for your purchase and ask for a certificate of authenticity if it is handmade. Fake discounts are also prevalent in the Native American jewelry and art business and you must educate yourself to know the true value of the piece you are considering purchasing. Don’t be persuaded to buy something just because it is 60, 70 or even 80% off the marked price.

Red Rock Trading Company is dedicated to promoting the Native American craft of silversmithing and follows the laws outlined in the Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990.

The Indian Arts and Crafts Board, an agency located in the U.S. Department of the Interior, was created by Congress to promote the economic development of American Indians and Alaska Natives through the expansion of the Indian arts and crafts market. A top priority of the IACB is the implementation and enforcement of the Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990, a truth-in-advertising law that provides criminal and civil penalties for marketing products as "Indian-made" when such products are not made by Indians, as defined by the Act. For more information on the Indian Arts and Crafts Act, visit www.iacb.doi.gov