We are deeply saddened to share that Jackson passed away yesterday after suffering a stroke on Tuesday.

Jackson loved this business—especially the artists he worked with and the clients who appreciated their work. He often said he couldn’t imagine retiring, because this life was such a part of who he was. A gifted storyteller, Jackson frequently shared glimpses of his own life and experiences with you through this newsletter. His humility, warmth, and approachable nature endeared him to so many over the years.

We don’t carry a lot of Native art from Alaska, but occasionally, we are asked to sell examples by collectors. I have always been attracted to the work. Traditional pieces are among the oldest forms of Native American art in the Americas.

It’s common in the Indian art business for people to stop in and ask for help valuing jewelry they have inherited or received as a gift. Sometimes, they want to sell it; sometimes, they just want to know more about it.

I was in Zuni on Saturday to meet with a collector who has lived in the village for several years. After our meeting, we got into his car, and he gave me a tour. It had been a long time, and it was a trip down memory lane.

If I had to name the top three traditional Navajo silversmiths working today, Jeanette Dale would be one of them. I don’t know who the others are, but I don’t think she’d be in second place.

Navajo inlay artist Jimmy Poyer has been working with us for approximately 40 years, since we relocated to our large gallery building in Durango. He is a unique man as well as an incredible jeweler.

Alex Sanchez is one of those artists who bridges traditional and contemporary in his jewelry. His work is heavy, and his stamp work is precise. He only uses top-quality stones. That would be enough for Sanchez to stand out among his contemporaries, but he takes the work a step further.

Jeanette Dale ranks near the top in the Traditional Navajo Silversmiths category. She comes from a family of artists. Her mother, father, and brother were accomplished silversmiths, and another brother, Eugene Joe (Baatsoslani), is arguably the finest sand painter on the Navajo Nation.

Wilson and Carol Begay were raised at Manulito, not far from Gallup. Carol went to school at the Navajo Bible Mission by the Catholic Church there. One of her earliest memories of Wilson was when he and a group of boys would come to the school to play basketball. Carol's mother always told her not to hang around with those boys and to come home if they were down at the school.

Coral was introduced to the Southwest by the Spanish who brought beads made from the material to the area as trade items. The Pueblo Indians began using the coral beads and, later, branch coral pieces to complement their turquoise heishi necklaces.

My mother always gave male shoppers good advice when they didn't know what to buy for the women in their lives.

"Every woman needs at least one strand of silver beads!"

Her reasons were pretty simple.

From Santo Domingo Pueblo (Kewa), Larry Pacheco was never known for traditional lapidary Santo Domingo Jewelry. He first came to the attention of jewelry collectors for what would generally be considered traditional Navajo jewelry.