Jewelry and Native Art in Taos
HeyTaos · Shopping
Jewelry and Native Art in Taos
The most important shopping category in Taos. Where to find authentic Native American jewelry, Pueblo pottery, Navajo textiles, and silver work, and how to tell the real thing from everything else.
What to Look For
Taos has been a trading center for Native American art for over a century. The range runs from museum-quality historic pieces to mass-produced imports labeled as Native. Knowing what you are looking at is the most important thing before you spend money.
| Shop | Description | Address and Hours | Phone | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| From The Andes | Huayruro seed amulets, hand-carved stone figurines, and one-of-a-kind Andean jewelry and cultural objects sourced directly from artisan families in Bolivia and Peru. | Ranchos de Taos | 504-289-0118 |
Visit Website |
| El Rincon Trading Post | Silver, turquoise, and Native jewelry. Oldest trading post in Taos, est. 1909. Family-owned four generations. | 114 Kit Carson Rd. | 575-758-9188 | |
| Mesa's Edge | Native American jewelry on the Plaza. | 107 N Plaza Ste A. Opens 9:30 AM. | 575-758-3455 | |
| Artwares Contemporary Jewelry | Contemporary jewelry on the Plaza. | 129 N Plaza Ste A. Opens 10 AM. | ||
| Lyle's Creations | Jewelry store on the Plaza. | 100 S Plaza B. Opens 11 AM. | ||
| Coyote Moon | Jeweler on Bent Street. | 120 Bent St Ste C. Opens 10:30 AM. | 575-758-4437 | |
| Fire & Stone Jewelry Studio | Custom sterling silver jewelry by Regina Archuleta-Romero. | 124 Bent St Unit C. Opens 10:30 AM. | 575-770-1637 | |
| Emily Benoist Ruffin Design & Goldsmiths | Fine jewelry design and goldsmithing studio. | 119 Bent St. Opens 11 AM. | 575-758-1061 | |
| Taos Silver Co | Handcrafted jewelry made by Taos locals. | 108 Cam de Santa Fe. Opens 10 AM. | 575-240-6679 | |
| Taos Rockers | Rock shop with mineral specimens and jewelry. | 229 Cam de la Placita A. Opens 10 AM. | 575-758-2326 | |
| Larry Martinez Jeweler | Jewelry store on Paseo del Pueblo Sur. | 822 Paseo del Pueblo Sur. Opens 9 AM Mon. | 575-758-4169 | |
| Thunder Lizard | Beads, gems, and unique jewelry pieces. | 1545 Paseo del Pueblo Sur. Opens 10 AM Wed. | 575-751-1752 | |
| Taos Gems & Minerals | Jewelry and mineral specimens. | 637 Paseo del Pueblo Sur. Opens 11 AM. | 575-758-3910 | |
| Leshem Diamonds and Gold | Diamond dealer and fine jewelry. | 1027 Salazar Rd. Opens 11 AM Mon. | 575-758-1573 | |
| Mountain of Jewels | Native American collection and one-of-a-kind jewelry. | 1027 Salazar Rd. Opens 11 AM Mon. | 575-758-1573 | |
| Maria Samora Jewelry | Award-winning designer jewelry in 18K gold and sterling silver with precious gems. | 824 Paseo del Pueblo Norte. Opens 11 AM Tue. | 575-751-7103 |
Where to Buy
The best place to buy Native American jewelry and Pueblo pottery in Taos is directly from the makers. At Taos Pueblo, artisans sell from their homes during visitor hours. The pieces are made by the people sitting next to them. There is no better provenance.
The Millicent Rogers Museum shop in El Prado sources authentically and the standards are high. The Harwood Museum shop is smaller but reliable. Several galleries on Ledoux Street and around Taos Plaza deal in serious Native work and will document provenance on request.
The jewelry and art vendors on the portals around Taos Plaza vary in quality and authenticity. Some are excellent. Ask questions. A reputable vendor will tell you exactly who made the piece and what tribe they belong to without hesitation.
Authenticity
The Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990 makes it a federal crime to misrepresent the tribal origin of Native American work. Despite this, non-Native and imported imitations are common in the Southwest. The law protects buyers but enforcement is imperfect.
Questions that a reputable seller should answer without hesitation: Who made this? What tribe are they enrolled in? Where were they when they made it? If the answer is vague or evasive, walk away. The real thing is available in Taos. You do not need to settle.
Price is not a reliable indicator of authenticity. Some genuine Native work is inexpensive. Some imitations are priced high. Ask questions. Buy from sources who can document what they are selling.
Pueblo Pottery
Each Pueblo has a distinct pottery tradition. San Ildefonso is known for the matte-on-black style made famous by Maria Martinez. Acoma produces fine white-clay pieces with intricate geometric designs. Taos and Picuris make micaceous pottery from local mica-bearing clay fired without a kiln. Santa Clara does polished black and carved red ware.
Buying directly from Pueblo potters is always preferable to buying from a secondary market. When buying from a gallery, ask for documentation of the maker and their Pueblo affiliation. The Millicent Rogers Museum collection gives an excellent overview of what the range of authentic Pueblo pottery looks like before you buy.
All Shopping Guides
Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-644). Taos Pueblo. Millicent Rogers Museum.