Steven Tiffany - Blending Traditional Native American and Contemporary Southwest Designs

By Tom Surface

An internationally recognized master silversmith, goldsmith, and lapidaris, Steven Tiffany designs works that incorporate a natural blending of contemporary, Native American and Southwest motifs in one-of-a-kind creations.

With a lineage that combines Western pioneer with Shivwits Band of Southern Paiute, Steven has focused solely on his jewelry business while living on the Navajo Reservation for more than 11 years. But his study and work in jewelry started much earlier. He explains, “I started working when I lived in Prescott, Arizona, back around 1991. For 17 years, I studied and produced works under the watchful eyes of master jewelry makers from several Native American families.”

He made a bold decision in 2008, moving to the Navajo Reservation to focus solely on his jewelry business. And soon thereafter, the apprentice became the master! “Over the past 11 plus years, I have focused on creating my own pieces, be it silver, gold, turquoise or other materials,” he says.

MAKING IT MY OWN When asked what sets his creations apart from the rest, his immediate one-word answer is “aesthetics.” He notes, “My works look old and modern

at the same time. Old and new style in the same piece – making each a unique one-of-a-kind creation with its own style and its own beauty.”

Steven readily cites three aspects that set his works apart in the market of Native American and Southwest style jewelry. He uses 18 karat gold or “coin silver”; creates unique designs that are both pleasing and comfortable to wear and; he “hand finishes” every piece.

He uses only 18 karat gold and “coin silver” when creating pieces. The materials and process are both time consuming and require the skill of a master artist. He explains, “I really take my time working with gold because of the process and added attention to detail it requires, but the beauty of the finished piece is unsurpassed.” The style of jewelry Steven is best known for is inspired by the aesthetics of early Navajo, Pueblo, and Spanish Colonial metalsmiths. In their day, these smiths created jewelry using blacksmith techniques. Predating the regional availability of foundry silver, they often used money - silver coins - to make jewelry. The silversmith melted the metal, poured it into an ingot mold, and forged the ingot, with hammer and anvil, to a usable shape and size, of sheet or wire.

“Today, there are very few silversmiths who still do their own foundry work. It is faster, easier, and cheaper, to utilize fabrication ready material,” he acknowledges.

“I exclusively use coin silver. Quality hand craftsmanship, the way things used to be made, is what I strive to achieve with each piece I make,” he says. He adds, “Hand forged coin silver enhances the character of my jewelry and the technique is historically relevant. It is my belief that the jewelry I make, using coin ingot or gold, maintains its value.” Steven uses American coins, which are 90% silver and 10% alloy. The color and shine are nearly identical to sterling.

TRADITIONAL PROCESS PRODUCES TIMELESS CREATIONS

Steven strives to make each of his works a piece of “fine jewelry” that are of unique design and look, and are also comfortable and wearable all day, every day. “I don’t cut corners, I make each work as good as I can, both in look and design as well as comfort,” he states. Tomoyuki Iwaka, owner of the Four Corners Gallery in Shizuoko, Japan, echoes this sentiment. “Steven’s uncompromising quality brings out the beauty of the whole piece and focuses on making it comfortable to wear. His work is without compromise and reminds me of a Japanese swordsmith,” he believes.

Debbie Collins, manager of the Rainbow Man in Santa Fe, NM, believes Steven is one of the most well-rounded contemporary “smiths” in the marketplace today. “His creations are timeless,” she says.

His preferred method for finishing silver results in a burnished patina, which he refers to as ‘Shadow Sheen”. Without resorting to a buffing machine, he oxidizes, burnishes, and hand polishes the silver to a nice luster. He explains, “I don’t use a buffing machine, to cover up the beauty of the piece. I hand finish all my work. The result is that all my work is visible with subtle imperfections blended in, giving each its own style and personality. When the finished piece looks traditional and modern at the same time, I have made it my own,” he believes.

Ms. Collins notes that Steven blends contemporary with traditional, especially in his process and his meticulous attention to detail. “He is a master ‘smith’ and one of the few contemporary artists we carry in our store.”

Continuing to grow as an artist, he seeks new challenges and new inspirations. He still gets new ideas from studying the work of other artists. Steven admits, “Sometimes, I’ll get a special piece of turquoise or other stone. I’ll study it, then put it away and think about how to design a piece to best bring out its beauty. After a while, an idea will come to me and I’ll get it out and create a piece unique to that stone.” He believes; “My work is still a journey.”

BUSINESS TODAY

“I have to admit; I was worried at first when I made the move to start my own fine jewelry business,” he confessed. “Back in 2008, the economy was not good and I was out on my own. But I went to work and succeeded in building buyers’ confidence in the quality of my work. I got busy and I have stayed very busy ever since,” he said. He does stay busy. Ms. Collins of the Rainbow Man confirmed this. “We buy everything he brings in,” she says. “We have clients that look forward to his next pieces and come into our shop specifically for Steven’s creations,” she added

Today, Steven is known across the nation and internationally for his unique style of blending old and new. His works are found in many fine jewelry shops through the Southwest and exclusively at the Rainbow Man in Santa Fe. Steven notes, “My works are also featured in far-away locations including the Four Winds Gallery in Sidney, Australia, and the Four Corners Gallery in Shizuoko, Japan, among others. I also take special orders and commissions and provide an antique jewelry repair service.”

Tomoyuki Iwaka of the Four Corners Gallery sums up Steven’s work this way: “His pieces have precision, strength, and elegance.”

People can take a look at samples of his work and can contact him directly through his website: steven-tiffany.com and e-mail at info@steven-tiffany.com.