American Indian Jewelry I by Gregory Schaaf (2003, Hardcover)

Granted, this book is CHOCK full of Native American jewelry designer biographies and must have taken a lot of work. Alphabetized by names and included some of their logo stamps. So as simply a book of mini-biographies, it's the best compilation around and the author is to be commended. Good photos, too.

BUT.......I was disappointed not to find a page SOLELY of the logo stamps, so I could identify WHO made particular native-made items I acquire. If I find a ring with a "thunderbolt and a letter", for example, I am forced to turn page after page (340 pages), hoping I can spot it under someone's name, and there are numerous names per page. I found it impossible with several items I own.

American Indian Jewelry I by Gregory Schaaf is an excellent resource book for any collector or buyer of Native American Jewelry. Hundreds of early to contemporary Navajo, Zuni, Hopi and Pueblo silversmiths are listed, with short biographies, pictures, awards, galleries and shops that carry their work and family histories. This is a massive work, building on the research of previous authors, with a good bibliography that's a resource in itself.

It is not my first choice as a reference of Native American signatures and marks, "Hallmarks of the Southwest" by Barton Wright occupies that position. Gregory Schaaf's book is definitely number two, and should not be overlooked by the serious collector.

This book has nice color photos of Native American jewelry but not much for identifying their makers nor a price guide. Second half of book has brief bios and info about the Native American jewelry makers. Unfortunately as a dealer and collector of NA jewelry that info was greatly missed!

This is an good reference book for those buying, selling or collecting Southwest Indian jewelry. I buy and sell Native American jewelry and this book has been a helpful resource in my business. The first part of the book has many gorgeous color pictures of both old and contemporary indian jewelry. The book contains 1200 artist biographies and lots of pictures of the artists as well as samples of their work. I'm not crazy about the organization of the book, however. Just alphabetical by artist. Some descriptions of the artists & their work are very short & criptic. So this assumes that you already know the name of the artist and just want to retrieve additional information about the artist. If you are trying to determine the maker of a piece of jewelry by the hallmark, then the book "Hallmarks of the Southwest" by Barton Wright or "Hopi Silver" by Margaret Wright are better resources (See my other reviews - I review both of these books)