| Did you know that the stamped design on any piece | | | | considered decorative by the individual maker of their |
| of sterling silver jewelry is always applied just before | | | | own Native American sterling silver jewelry pieces. |
| the setting of the stone. The process is done by | | | | The stamping technique is not one that is learned |
| tapping the metal with a hardened steel punch in which | | | | overnight. Many hours of experience is required before |
| a specific design or symbol has been cut. There are | | | | this art form is perfected. If the stamp is tapped too |
| many different stamp designs are available | | | | lightly, the design will not show and if it is tapped to |
| commercially and are quite affordable. Some | | | | hard the stamp can actually go through the metal and |
| craftsman and silversmiths prefer to make their own | | | | thus ruin a potential beautiful piece of handcrafted |
| punches with their own original designs but the process | | | | sterling silver jewelry. If the stamp is not held straight |
| is surely an art in itself. These punches are considered | | | | the result could be that the impression is uneven or |
| as most valuable possessions by the Native American | | | | only a part of the design may be transferred. If a |
| jewelry maker. Some of the first silver punches were | | | | mistake in the stamping technique is made, it is not |
| copies of the leather punches used by the blacksmiths | | | | easy to cover up or correct. Often times the piece will |
| working on their horse saddles. Many of these same | | | | be scrapped or used for another project. Good quality |
| traditional designs are still used today. | | | | handmade silver jewelry will consistently have bold and |
| Contrary to the belief that many of these stamp | | | | defined stamped designs applied to it, so be on the |
| designs are Indian symbols, most of them have no | | | | lookout as you do your browsing. |
| significance at all, but instead are just designs that are | | | | |