We don’t play favorites here at Native American Art magazine, which is to say that all the different categories and classifications of Native American art are all equally beautiful in our eyes. And yet, if you were to poll the general public, there might be a clear frontrunner and it would be Native American jewelry. I don’t think that statement is even that much of a stretch. Just look at the two big art markets: the largest classification, the one with the most artists, at both Santa Fe Indian Market and the Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market is jewelry.
But why is that? The answer is obvious: the medium is popular and the art market can sustain it due to the number of buyers out there. We’ve talked with countless collectors over the years, and their reasons are clear and often humorous. I’ve spoken with collectors, men and women, who plainly state, “I just can’t stop. I should stop buying jewelry. But I don’t.” Some collectors buy multiple pieces at a time, and others buy more strategically by doing research, meeting the artists and then carefully selecting a piece for their collection. There are no wrong answers in how to do it. What always surprises me are the people who don’t necessarily follow the Native American art market, but they know that Native American jewelry stands for quality and how it speaks to a certain kind of look that is very popular. Some of these jewelry fans discovered jewelry in the 1960s or 1970s, when it was being worn by musicians and movie stars, and today they are still chasing a look that they liked 50 years ago.
Some of these collectors are more informed than they realize. Get them talking and they can start rattling off the names of turquoise mines by the dozen, or explain the beauty of tufa casting or stone inlay or coral uses in contemporary jewelry. Others are completely novice and yet they are eager to step into this exciting world. We’ve talked to collectors in their 90s, and then also many in their 20s and 30s who are embracing jewelry in exciting ways. And they come from every corner of the country.
No matter what kind of collector you are—young or old, veteran or novice, seasoned expert or curious visitor—we are excited to welcome you into our annual jewelry issue. No matter where you are on your collecting journey, we have something for you in these pages.
Michael Clawson
Executive Editor
mclawson@nativeamericanartmagazine.com
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