Sterling Silver Earrings

Sterling Silver, Light Weight

Size: Width .5″ x Length 1”

Domed silver bars create a rope motif making this bracelet very stylish and elegant. 

Hallmark TC for Thomas Charley

Navajo Tribe:

The Navajo have the largest reservation in the US running thru Northern Arizona, New Mexico and Utah, along with the largest population of 330,000. The Navajo came into contact with Spanish explorers in early 1600s. At this time the Navajo saw for the first time horses, goats, and sheep along with metal. In the mid-1800s a Navajo named Atsidi Sani was taught the art of silversmithing by a Spanish silversmith. The Navajo are the largest producers of fine jewelry with turquoise. Turquoise represents father of sky, is a good luck and a healing stone.

Thomas Charley is full blooded Native American Indian born into the Navajo reservation in Crownpoint, New Mexico, 1952. He has been actively creating jewelry since 1977, specializing in his own unique contemporary style. Every artist have their own distinct style, while Thomas has created a very dramatic look in his jewelry, keeping the character and ethics of his forefathers whom introduced him into the jewelry business. Thomas’ jewelry style features solid sterling silver with wide row of domed silver bars that create a type of rope pattern. This style is worn comfortably, as the domed silver makes the bracelet much lighter versus if he were making it a solid casting style. Finishing off the design with a tight twisted silver rope on either side of the rope pattern carefully done by wrapping two pieces of sterling silver around one another and set it in the polished frame. His beautiful design is easily recognized in earrings, bracelets, rings, watches, bolo ties, concho belts and pins. His masterpieces are very elegant, simply clean finished and sophisticated. His hallmark will always be stamped on the opposite side with a TC. Thomas’ relatives are also recognized for their fine craftsmanship in the art of jewelry making; sisters Bessie and Doris Charley, and brother Al Charley.

Awards: Navajo Nation Art Fair Windowrock, AZ

Publications: American Indian Jewelry 1 1,200 Artist Biography