Journal

The Truth About the Squash Blossom Necklace

The most iconic necklace of the Southwest hides a surprising origin — the "blossom" is really a pomegranate, a symbol traced to Granada and 1492.

The Legend of the Bolo Tie

As the legend goes, a windblown hat in 1940s Arizona led silversmith Victor Cedarstaff to the first bolo tie — and to the name that stuck. The story behind a Southwest staple.

Tufa Casting — An American Tradition

Carving a design into volcanic ash stone and pouring molten silver by hand — is one of the oldest silversmithing traditions in the Southwest. Here's how it works, where it came from, and why no two...

The Dark Side of New Mexican Culture

Out of all 50 states, New Mexico ranks dead last at #50 — second-worst in safety with the highest crime rate in the nation, not to mention last in education.

More Than Metal

Most people look at Southwest jewelry and have no idea what they're actually holding. Every mark is a decision. Every stamp is a fingerprint. Every piece tells a story.

The Origins of Southwest Silversmithing

Contrary to what many people think, silversmithing is not native to the American Indian. Metal working in general was introduced to the Navajo people by the…

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Royston Bolo Tie No. 16