Like the Navajo Nation, the Hopi Indians were the benefactors of the Spaniards’ silversmith tradition. While the two nations’ influences are evident in the art of the other, Hopi jewelry artists sought to distinguish themselves from other Southwestern Indian jewelry artists.

Beginning just before WWII, Hopi Indian jewelry artists have developed a characteristic style, one that uses little stones but intricate overlay design work.

Renowned Hopi Indian Jewelry Artists

Chalmers Day is the most well-known Hopi jewelry artist. Day has been creating jewelry since 1972. During his career, he has been awarded First Place at the Santa Fe Indian Market, a high honor within the trade.

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Sterling Silver Overlay Hopi Jewelry

The sterling silver overlay characteristic of Hopi jewelry requires two pieces of silver. Designs are cut into one piece, which is overlaid and soldered to another solid piece. This gives Hopi Indian jewelry depth, which is sometimes accentuated by the use of an oxidized or textured silver base. The brushed or polished overlay stands in brighter contrast to the darker background.

Hopi Indian jewelry relies heavily upon traditional symbols and designs, including:

Cornstalks
Bear claws
Weather
Man in the maze
Kokopellis

The intricacy of the overlay patterns in the small space that earrings and pendants, in particular, allow is truly amazing and speaks to the talent of the Hopi Indian jewelry artists.