The late Tommy Jackson was a renowned Navajo silversmith and award-winning artist who has
built a respected body of work in handmade gold and silver jewelry. Stamp work, fine silver detailing, and carefully selected stones are among the hallmarks of his work, demonstrating a strong command of Navajo silversmithing tradition. His jewelry honors ancestral technique while maintaining a polished, contemporary finish. He earned consistent recognition for his pieces, securing his place as one of the most celebrated names in Navajo jewelry-making today.
Meet Tommy Jackson
Tommy Jackson was born on January 20, 1958, in Phoenix, Arizona, and was a full-blooded Navajo. His parents, Martha and Gene Jackson, were renowned silversmiths, and it was through them that he learned to make jewelry in his youth. Despite the desire and motivation to get an education, jewelry still called to him, and by the early 1970s, Jackson had begun working as an artist in his own right.
He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Arizona and went on to teach Navajo children reading, writing, history, and arts and crafts at Wide Ruins Community School for eight years. It was the combination of his love of teaching and metalsmithing that led so many of his students to become well-known jewelry artists themselves. Some of Tommy Jackson’s protegees include Harrison Jim, Sunshine Reeves, Benson Manygoats, and Myron Panteah.
Jackson made handmade jewelry in both gold and silver, working in styles ranging from traditional to contemporary, using inlay and cutout overlay. His work featured natural American turquoise, such as Bisbee, Number 8, and Blue Gem. He won awards at the Santa Fe Indian Market, the Heard Museum Show, the Museum of Northern Arizona, and the Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial, and his work has been featured in several publications and has collectors from around the world.
In 2002, he was chosen to represent the Navajo Nation at the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics, where he demonstrated silversmithing to visitors from many countries. He was married to Marie Jackson, a fellow jewelry artist, and together they raised seven children in Ganado, Arizona, where they worked side by side for many years. Tommy passed away in March 2025 and is remembered for his work, his generosity as a teacher, and the artists he inspired.
Discover Tommy Jackson’s Work
Deeply rooted in Navajo tradition, Tommy Jackson’s jewelry typically features natural turquoise and detailed sterling silver techniques that reflect years of refined skill. Looking through his work, it becomes clear that the relationship between stone and metal was central to his design. Take a good look at the collections below to find a piece that captures your attention.
Rings
Tommy Jackson’s rings are a strong starting point in understanding the full range of his work and what he could do with silver and stone. Heavy-gauge sterling silver and 14K gold bands give each design a solid, substantial base, often ornamented with stampwork, appliqué, twist wire, and repoussé. Natural turquoise from mines like Bisbee, Kingman, and Turquoise Mountain is the most common choice of stone, hand-set in sawed bezels that present the stone in an attractive way while securely holding it in place.
Some rings feature a single commanding stone with detailed metalwork surrounding it, while others combine multiple stones in a cluster setting. Oxidized backgrounds and satin finishes are also common across the collection, adding definition and contrast to the overall piece. His rings are bold, well-made, and clearly grounded in traditional Navajo silversmithing.
Bracelets
Shaped from heavy-gauge sterling silver ingots, the bracelets in this collection carry an immediate sense of solidity and presence. Geometric stamp work runs across many of them, pulling from the structured weaving patterns that have long been a feature of the Navajo artistic tradition. Natural turquoise, often arranged in rows or clusters along the face, brings color and visual rhythm to the pieces while silver does the structural work around it. You may see details such as repoussé, bead wire, twist wire, and oxidized satin finishes throughout many pieces. These bracelets stand on their own as statement pieces, but can be paired with a matching ring or pendant to create a bold yet cohesive look.
Pendants
Some of the most distinctive forms in Tommy Jackson’s work can be found in his pendants. The bear paw is among the most recognizable designs here, usually centering a natural Royston or Kingman turquoise set within hand-sawed bezels and framed by oxidized silver. Tufa stone casting is frequently used, giving the pieces an organic, raw feel. Stamp work and appliqué details can be seen throughout, connecting these pendants to the same design sensibility observed in his rings and bracelets. Some pieces even come paired with sterling silver bead necklaces, each bead handmade and individually formed to complement the pendant.
Shop Tommy Jackson’s Jewelry at SilverTQ
Tommy Jackson’s rings, bracelets, and pendants all tell a story rooted in Navajo tradition, and SilverTQ is where you can find them. From his natural turquoise rings to his geometrically stamped bracelets and tufa-cast pendants, Tommy Jackson’s work combines fine detail with a deliberate approach that cannot be ignored. Explore his collection and make SilverTQ your go-to jewelry shopping destination.
FAQs
What are the best practices for maintaining my jewelry?
Keep your pieces away from chemicals, soap, and water, and use a soft dry cloth for the turquoise and a separate cloth with silver polish for the hardware. Storing them in a soft fabric bag or a lined jewelry box in a dark place, and removing them before showering, swimming, or applying lotions, helps protect the stones over the long term.
Does each piece come with an artist’s hallmark or signature?
Yes, Tommy Jackson has hand-stamped every piece with his hallmark, marked as “Jackson” or “TJ” on the back side of rings, bracelets, and pendants.
Can this jewelry be worn daily?
Since these pieces are built from heavy-gauge materials, they hold up well to everyday wear, though steering clear of manual labor and harsh chemicals helps keep the turquoise and inlays in superb condition.
