Native American Silversmith/Goldsmith Hallmarks

Hallmarks and how to find information about my Native American Indian jewelry

• What is a hallmark?

• Why use a hallmark?

• How can I find out more about my Native American Indian jewelry and hallmark?

• A brief list of Silversmith hallmarks you will find on Indian jewelry
  
  
  

 

What is a hallmark?

A hallmark is a symbol, initials, or signature that is written, stamped or carved into the back of a work of art. This hallmark is put into the back of a work of art such as Native American Jewelry, Pottery, or other crafts to identify who crafted the work of art. Many of these works of art are also hallmarked with type of material (silver, gold, Turquoise, etc.) that the work of art was made with. When it comes to jewelry specifically, it is required by law that the silversmith or goldsmith stamp the piece with the percentage of metal in the piece. In Native American jewelry it is common to see .925 or Sterling meaning that the piece contains sterling silver which is 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper. In anglo jewelry and some Native American jewelry the artists may work with different kinds of gold such as 10k, 12k, 14k, 18k or 22k. This is the amount of gold that is in the metal. Some highend Silver and Gold Jewelers even put the city and or state they come from. The more information an artist hallmarks onto a piece the easier it is to find out who made the piece after it has passed through several hands. Many Indian Jewelers adopted this system in the mid 1950s when Indian Jewelry became more popular. In the beginning Native American jewelry hallmarks were just the initials of the artist or a symbol they loved such as an arrow or buffalo or the like. Today many artist use their full name, there initials with a symbol, or more detailed stamps or hallmarks. This is partial due to the popularity of knock off jewelry that is made in different parts of the world such as Asia. In Asia specifically there are sweat shop factories producing imitation Native American and Southwest Jewelry and those artist have adapted the common hallmarks of the older Native American artists that used their initials. Top

 

Why Artisans use hallmarks?

 

Artisans, including Native American artisans (especially Navajo Silversmiths) us hallmarks to help identify their work. The artisan also use hallmarks to help sell their jewelry to galleries and stores. Today many stores frown upon non - hallmarked items. Many artisans have faithful collectors and fans and the hallmarks are most appreciated by the artisans patrons. This is especially true with Native American artisans and Navajo silversmiths. So, all said and done it is a service to the buyer or collector of the artwork.

It is important to remember that a hallmarks do not always guarantee that a piece of works authenticity. As afor mentioned, there are many fakes out there. The artisans making these imitations are very skilled at imitating hallmarks and signatures. These dishonest individuals also use base metal and coat it in silver and then stamp it silver. These individuals do this with gold as well. This practice has been around since the beginning of artists and craftsman, so it is nothing new, however the imitators have gotten better at what they do.

Many times we suggest people be more concerned with the craftsmanship and materials that a piece is made with. After observing these traits in a craft or work of art, a buyer should then price check. If the price seems proper for the work of art, the buyer is happy with the craftsmanship and materials used in the piece, and feels good about the seller, than it is worth buying. This is all the general public needs to consider when purchasing art. The general public has no reason to be paying double, triple or higher price for a piece of art made by a specific artist. There are plenty of piece that are just as fine as the pieces made by prolific artisans such as Navajo Silversmiths, that are made by up and coming artists and artisans that are not concerned with becoming famous.

This really means that the only people who need to be aware of hallmarks are those who are looking to buy for investment and those who are collecting works of art by certain artists. For these individuals, they need to become experts on these artisans work. They need to know much more than the hallmark. These collectors need to know the specific styles, techniques that the artist use, and different things to look for in their works to determine if they are truly made by that artist or those artists.

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What resources can I consult to learn more about my jewelry and hallmark?

If you purchase or have purchased jewelry from us that was made by a Native American artist, we have a small list of the artists we use below. If you purchased a piece from the website Durangosilver.com you can consult Dillon Hartman via email at dillon@durangosilver.com

We are not experts in this field, but we will direct you to people and resources that are. 

DO NOT EMAIL US ABOUT HALLMARKS. 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: 

	American Indian Jewelers #1, 1200 Artists Biographies, by Dr. Gregory & Angie Yan Schaaf. -  This is a neat resource. It does not include all artists. Very informative and has some great pictures.
	The Beauty of Hopi Jewelry by Theda Bassman, et al. Available through Amazon.com.
	Hallmarks of the Southwest (Schiffer Book for Collectors) by Barton Wright, available through Amazon.com This is the bible for most Native American art collectors. This book mainly focuses on Native American jewelry hallmarks. AGAIN THIS BOOK falls short in including all artists. Many of the most prolific artists are hispanic and anglo and are not included in this book.
	North American Indian Jewelry and Adornment by Lois Sherr Dubin (Author) Available through Amazon.com.
	Treasures of the Hopi by Theda Bassman, et al, available through Amazon.com.
	Turquoise Unearthed: An Illustrated Guide by Joe Dan Lowry, Joe P. Lowry, available through Amazon.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

You will find the hallmarks stamped on the back of your Native American jewelry.  If you have purchased a piece of our Native American Indian made jewelry and do not find the hallmark in this list, please contact us for more information.  We have listed Many Tribes and artists Hallmarks. Please let us know if you are an artist and do not see your name, or you know of others we should include. Top

 

A quick note about Native American Hallmarks in the list below:

Many of the artists below are bench jewelers. A Native American bench jeweler is a jeweler that works for a larger company making the designs of that company. These companies sell simular jewelry to many galleries, stores and internet sites. This is important because you may see a simular list on another site, this does not mean that we copied the information, nor did they. It simply means they are buying from the same company and artists.

A Few Anglo Silversmith Hallmarks:

Aldrich Arts	Benny & Valerie Aldrich - Durango
CF	Charlie Favour - Pagosa Springs, CO
C. Hall	Cloud Hall
Dennis Hogan	Dennis Hogan
D. Hartman, or Dillon in Cursive	Dillon Hartman - Durango, CO
Douglas Magnus	Doug Magnus of Santa Fe
Heart with Hartman's of Durango around it	John and Estell Hartman - Durango, CO
J. Hartman	John Hartman - Durango, CO
John Huntress	John Huntress - Santa Fe
M.V.R.	Mona Van Riper - Santa Fe
Philip Chambless	Philip Chambless - Zuni Mountains

 

A Few Native American Hallmarks:

Symbol	Artist's Name
AB	Alex Begay
AHASTEEN	Julius Ahasteen
AJ	Al Joe
AJ	Alvin Joe
AL	Althea Latome
Al Yazzie	Al 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
BB	Bernard Barton
BB	Benjamin Becenti
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
Chee	Mark Chee (Prolific Navajo Artist)
CF	Consuelo L. Francisco
C.B.	Corline Baca
C.B.	Curtis Benavidez
DT	Delores Toledo
E. BECENTI	Eugene Becenti
EB	Edison Begay
EB	Emma Bighand
EB	Edith Barney
E. Begay	Elsie Begay
EG	Elizabeth Guerro
E. Yazzie	Evelyn Yazzie
FA	Floyd Arviso
F.A.	Fred Adakai
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
MA	Myra Albert
JD	Jeremy Delgarito
JDE	Jones Delgarito
J. Nelson	John Nelson
JN	Johnathan Nez
JJ	Johnny Johnson
JG	Johnson Gluerro
JP	Juan Pino
KA	Kirk Arviso
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
Orville Tsinnie, Shiprock N.M.	Orville Tsinnie
PP	Peter Padilla
P Sanchez	Phillip Sanchez
RA	Rita Abeita
RG or RAMONA	Ramona Guerro
RIG	Reda Guerro
RF	Rosalina Francisco
RD	Rose Draper
RL	Robert Livingston
RJ	Rosita Jake
Ray T., RT, Ray Tracey	Ray Tracey
JS	Sampson Jake
S.B.	Shirley Baca
SB	Sheila Becenti
SJ	Selina Jake
SW	Sampson Werito
TA	Tom Anderson
T. Bahe	Tom Bahe
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
TWO DOGS	Two Dogs
VA	Virgil Arragos
VB	Vivian Barbonz
VB	Vernon Begay
VBZ	Virgil Bzgay
V.C.	Victor Chavez
VE	Victoria Eriacho
Verdy Jake, VJ or V. Jake	Verdy Jake
VT	Vera Tsosie
WA	William Anderson
A mushroom stamp	Royce Carter

 

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Original copy by Dillon Hartman of Durango Silver Company. The opinions and facts in this page are of Dillon Hartmans and are not legally binding. These are opinions and facts gathered through different resources and the personal experience of Dillon Hartman. For more hallmark information visit Durango Silver Co's Native Hallmarks page.

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