The man credited as the first Navajo silversmith is Atsidi Sani. A Mexican, Nakai Tsosi originally taught Sani to work with iron in the mid-1800s, and 20 years later, around 1868, Tsosi taught Sani to work with silver. Sani, in turn, taught the craft to his four sons and they taught it to other Navajo.
Early silver items forged by the Navajo ranged from the ornamental -- belts, necklaces, and bracelets -- to the more practical. Bells made from silver quarters or other coins and worn at war dances were common. Tobacco canteens and gunpowder measures made from silver were common as well. Often, deer or rabbit images were imprinted on the side of canteens.
As silversmith work became more popular among the Navajo, the focus shifted toward jewelry. From the early necklaces and bracelets came smaller, more delicate pieces of jewelry. Rings, hairpins, belt buckles and earrings were all produced before the end of the 19th century. Around 1880, Navajo learned how to set turquoise, considered a sign of wealth and prosperity, into silver jewelry -- a practice still common.
Today, the Navajo silversmithing industry is alive and well. Authentic silver wedding rings, bracelets, and pendants -- along with many other designs -- can be found online. Many pieces of jewelry are set with the traditional turquoise or other precious stones. To help ensure a piece of Navajo jewelry is authentic, make sure you receive a written guarantee that verifies any claims made by the vendor.