I recently saw a carved turquoise pendant. It was about 1 1/2″ horse head. The store owner said it was an antique by an artist named Simon Yazzie. I have been unable to find any other jewelry by this artist. The initials on the back of the piece are SY. Do you know of this artist? and if so, how do I find more of his work? Sara
Hi Sara,
I have never heard of Simon Yazzie and he is not listed in Hallmarks of the Southwest by Barton Wright which is one of the few printed references available on Native American hallmarks.
The only artist associated with SY in that book happens to be one that I am familiar with – Navajo Steve Yellowhorse. His hallmark of SY is in Gothic, often on a separate sterling silver plate silver soldered to the back of the pieces. The stamp is 1/4″ x 7 1/6″
Sometimes a galloping horse is used with his SY hallmark. Here is an example of a Steve Yellowhorse bracelet we currently have in our store.
Sterling Silver Navajo Bracelet by Steve Yellowhorse
Now as far as Yazzie, did you know that Yazzie is sometimes called the “Smith” of the Navajo world? In other words, when you open the telephone book in Gallop, New Mexico area, for example, there are pages of Yazzies. It is an extremely common name. We have many items made by members of the Yazzie family but about the only one associated with an SY hallmark is Shirley Yazzie. We’ve had earrings made by her and we currently have Navajo Pearls (sterling silver beads) by Shirley Yazzie.
Sterling Silver Navajo Pearls by Shirley Yazzie
Best of luck – it sounds like a beautiful piece.
Thank you for your prompt response. Your information was very helpful.
Several years ago, I received a gift of a rich-looking Navajo Pearls necklace and matching earrings (in sterling silver, of course). Each time I wear this set, I receive numerous compliments. It is one of my top 3 favorite accessories.
I know what you mean. I can always count on my Navajo Pearls. They are my go-to piece whether I am dressing up a bit or in my standard black jeans and V neck top !
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We recently purchased two Bracelets with large Kingman Turquoise stones from the Red Canyon Indian Store . The owners insisted that Simon Yazzie worked in the store in the 1990′s. The two bracelets are stamped Simon Yazzie.
Again these bracelets are stamped with his name and sterling.
They sound nice. Thank you for the extra information about Simon Yazzie.
There a lot of artists that have the last name Yazzie, as long as your dealing with a reputable Native American jewelry company, you should be fine. Just because the name is not in the Barton Wright book does not mean that its not authentic. There are thousands of artists.
That is very true Lisa – there are very few Native American jewelry hallmark resources and Barton Wright’s book is certainly not complete or updated. It is a place to start for some of the older or more obscure ones, but many contemporary artists are not included.
Yes, it is best to deal with a trusted and knowledgeable retailer such as http://www.horsekeeping.com/jewelry/jewelry.htm
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I have a ring that bought for 1$ at yard sale. It has hallmarks on it,they are 2 arrows crossed at the end of the . design. Do you know anything about it. I felt like I rescued it.
Thank You
Nez Perce Sister
If you want to jot me that same note to the Ask Paula section in the right column, I’ll reply from my email address where you can send a photo of the ring and hallmark and I’ll see what I can do to help you identify your treasure. Paula
I acquired a beautiful pair of earrings several years back in New Mexico. They are 1 1/2 ” square, sterling silver studs, with a large oval of lapis, silver, jet or onyx and what I think may be sugilite inlay(it’s a beautiful super rich marbley turquoise blue,but it doesn’t look like turquoise). They are each imprinted with a Zia symbol, the word “sterling” and a circle with a “C” inside and what looks to be a smaller solid circle inside of the curve of the “C”.
I’m wondering if you might know who the maker of these is?
My camera isn’t working right now, or I’d send a picture as well.
Thanks!
Samantha O.
Once your camera is working, please feel free to send photos of the front and back. I’ve send you an email so you can reply to that.
Happy Holidays.
Paula
I have a Contemporary styled Squash Blossom . The hallmark is a backward R attached to an A. Does anyone know who the artist might be?
Thanks…
I’ve written you suggesting you send photos.
I recieved a Simon Yazzie braclet when my mom went to NM and Az on a trip. It is very beauiful and looks handcrafted. It is made up of copper.
Hello, I have a large native american turquoise and coral pendant that is hallmarked on the back JAC and was wondering if you could tell me who is JAC. Thanks for any info you could provide.
Please submit this query to the “ASK PAULA A QUESTION” feature in the right hand column of the blog.
When I receive the query, I’ll reply with the email address where you can send a photo.
Thanks ! Paula
I am trying to identify a what I believe to be a native american piece. It is a necklace with a large odd shaped pendant i guess you would call it. It has about 6 or 7 round pieces of tourquoise in it. Its pretty tarnished. And it has a halmark of EM on the back. I tried google but found nothing.
Use the ‘Ask Paula a Question” feature in the right hand column of the blog.
Did you ever find out what “EM” was? I have the same question but mine is on the back of a belt buckle…
I sent you a reply via email – its best to see a photo of the piece along with the hallmark.
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I have a large sterling silver cuff bracelet purchased in the late 1980′s in AZ. It is exceptional workmanship and signed in a script stamp “sterling” a block stamp “NAVAJO” and hand signed Simon Yazzie in script. I cost almost $600 back then!
I was recently in Sedona, AZ and bought a copper bracelet made by Simon Yazzie stamped with his name and Navajo. His wife said that they live on the reservation near Lake Powell.
Thank you !
I also have a copper bracelet stamped “Simon Yazzie”. I bought it at a Pow-Wow in the Bay Area in Calif several years ago. At the same time I bought a sterling silver bracelet for my mom that had flush inlays of coral, mother of pearl, turquoise I believe it was also stamped Simon Yazzie
I HAVE A CUFF BRACELET WITH TURQUOISE AND RED CORAL. ALSO CONTAINS WHAT LOOKS LIKE TWO EAGLE TALONS. STAMPED EY STERLING
ANY IDEA OF WHO THIS IS AND THE VALUE?
Use the Ask Paula a question feature in the right hand column of the blog. I’ll reply and tell you where you can send a photo.
I own a squash blossom belt buckle, which is sterling, and weighs 2.2 oz. It has Steve Yellowhorses’ initials on it. I’m wondering what it’s worth, as I’d like to sell it.
Looking forward to your reply
Nicholette
I replied to you personally.
hi there….i have a wonderful horseshoe pin with cowboy charms hanging off of it…..it has a hallmark of a cowboy hat with an arrow going through it….any ideas of what that might be. I believe it came from Santa Fe.
thanks so much,
barbara
I hope to resume blogging after fire season…….Paula
I am hoping fire season is over. Sometimes it hurts to see my mountains burning.
Hi Paula,
I stumbled across your site looking for info on Simon Yazzie. I have a copper bracelet with the Simon Yazzie name on the back side center along with Navajo. It is made of very heavy twisted copper wire which has been flattened. The top side wire sections of the flat twist are each stamped alternately with a feather on one section, and on the next section, a small arrowhead with a tiny likeness of a face wearing a feather headdress beneath the arrowhead. This repeats alternately on every twisted section across the bracelet. I bought this item from a gun show vendor in Tucson last March. The lady was a young native American gal who told me the bracelet is authentic Navajo and that someone in her Hopi family married into Simon Yazzie’s family and she had personal knowledge of the artist. I am trying to dig up info on Simon Yazzie and hoping that the gal selling me the bracelet was genuine, as well as the artist. Any help or thoughts will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Best Regards,
Robert Donley
Tucson, AZ
I was so excited to see the same description of the hallmark like mine on your site but I was so upset you couldn’t answer because of the fire season. I really hope everything is fine!!! Please kindly post a note if you are familiar with the hallmark: a cowboy hat with an arrow going through it. It’s a men’s turquoise ring. The ring is made really really good!!!
Thank you in advance!
Yes fire season is over !! I’m not familiar with the hallmark.
hi ive recently found a ring its sterling and 14k i cannot makeout any marks but what appears to be a buffalo or sometype footprint
i am trying to repurchase an old turquoise mans ring with a larger 1-1/2 blue oval stone it had what appeared to be an ro imprint on bottom with a hourglass imprint also..do you know who this is and do you sell a ring like this.the 1 i had was vintage when given to me 38 years ago
I can’t picture the ring you are trying to describe. Do you see something like it on an of the ring pages?
http://www.horsekeeping.com/jewelry/pawn/pawnshop-vin-rings.htm you can browse through the sizes
here too
http://www.horsekeeping.com/jewelry/rings/rings.htm
Paula
I purchased a silver & turquoise Native American cuff bracelet in Jackson Hole, Wyoming from an Estate Sale with initials O.A. Would you have any information on a jewelry designer by those initials? The bracelet is circa 1930′s…..
If you would go to http://www.horsekeeping.com/e-mail.htm and send me the same note with a photo, I’ll try to help. Paula