Unique Hopi Jewelry

Until about sixty years ago Hopi Jewelry was pretty much just like any other native american indian style, however that all changed just after the second world war when the Hopi Indians adopted their very own unique style of craftmanship.

Hopi servicemen returning to their homelands from the war were trained as silversmiths with the help of a bill passed by the Government.

A non-profit corporation was set up to help the Hopi Indians promote and sell their jewelry making and handcrafted wares and so the Hopi Silvercraft Cooperative Guild was born and sits proudly on top of the second mesa.

The newly trained Hopi silversmiths were taught to create jewelry using the Overlay style and the unique Hopi designs you see today emerged.

The Overlay Style... is a method using two identical sheets of sterling silver, one oxidized to blacken it and the other sheet has the design carefully cut into it before being silver solded onto the blackened sheet.

This shows off the cut out design area with a two dimensional looking shaded background which in most cases looks very effective indeed.

The many designs that you will come across often depict the everyday life of the Hopi as well as some religious and ceremonial offerings, the use of animals and scenery that surrounds them is often portrayed as well.

Living in a very arid land water is another theme used to great effect to make unique and very sought after beautifully designed Jewelry

All genuine Hopi crafted pieces are hallmarked by the silversmith.

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