Our Approach to Attribution & Transparency

We are a woman-owned, non-Native family business specializing in previously owned jewelry. We are collectors and resellers—not the makers of these works and not representatives of the cultures from which many of them originate.

Our role is to care for these pieces, research their histories, describe them honestly, and connect them with new owners who will appreciate and preserve them.

Native-Made and Southwestern-Style Are Not the Same

Native jewelry is a living art form created by individual artists from distinct tribal nations and communities. It is not a single aesthetic, and jewelry should not be described as Native American merely because it contains turquoise, coral, or sterling silver or was made in a Southwestern style.

We describe jewelry as Native-made only when available evidence supports that attribution. Depending on the piece, that evidence may include a verified artist hallmark, documented provenance, comparison with reliable published references, or information from the artist or the artist’s family.

When Native authorship cannot be verified, we use language such as “Southwestern,” “Southwestern-style,” “maker unknown,” or “attribution unverified.” We will not present an assumption as a fact.

Giving Credit to Individual Artists

Whenever possible, we identify the artist who created a piece. When an artist’s tribal affiliation is relevant and can be verified through a reliable source, we include it using specific and respectful language.

We recognize that hallmarks can be difficult to interpret, multiple artists may use similar marks, and older pieces frequently arrive without documentation. An attribution may therefore be incomplete or subject to revision.

We distinguish between:

• Confirmed artist identifications

• Documented Native-made pieces with an unidentified maker

• Tentative or possible attributions

• Southwestern-style pieces whose Native authorship has not been verified

• Work by known non-Native makers

These distinctions are included because accuracy matters—to our customers, to artists, and to the families and communities connected to the work.

Previously Owned Jewelry

Unless otherwise stated, the jewelry in this collection is vintage, estate, or previously owned. Purchasing a previously owned piece from us is different from commissioning or purchasing new work directly from a living artist.

We encourage customers who appreciate this jewelry to also discover and support Native artists working today. Native jewelry is not simply a historical collecting category; it is a vibrant and evolving contemporary art form.

Corrections and Additional Information

Our research is conducted in good faith, but we recognize that written references and marketplace records can be incomplete or incorrect. Artists, family members, collectors, scholars, and community members may hold knowledge that is unavailable to us.

If you believe a piece has been incorrectly attributed—or if you can help identify an artist, hallmark, or history—we welcome hearing from you. We will review credible information carefully and make corrections when warranted.

Please email info@working925jewelry.com with “Attribution” in the subject line and include:

• A link to the item

• The information you believe should be corrected or added

• Any photographs, references, or supporting information you wish to share

• Your relationship to the artist or piece, if applicable

We will treat these communications respectfully. Submitting information does not automatically guarantee a particular attribution, but every good-faith correction will be reviewed.

Cultural and Ceremonial Concerns

We understand that some objects, imagery, or designs may have meanings that are not apparent to a reseller. If an artist, family member, tribal representative, or knowledgeable community member raises a concern about the presentation or sale of a piece, we commit to pausing, listening, and reviewing the matter thoughtfully.

We do not claim ownership of the cultural knowledge associated with the jewelry we sell.

Collaborations and Community Support

When we collaborate with musicians, artists, stylists, or other creative partners, we will identify the nature of that relationship clearly. Collaborators will be compensated for their work, and receiving jewelry or other items of value will be disclosed where appropriate.

Any charitable contribution connected to a collection or campaign will identify the recipient organization, the basis used to calculate the contribution, and any guaranteed minimum amount. We will not use vague charitable language in place of a specific commitment.

An Ongoing Responsibility

Responsible resale is an ongoing practice rather than a claim of perfection. Our standards will continue to develop as we learn more, improve our records, and receive better information.

We welcome respectful accountability. Our goal is to preserve what can be known, acknowledge what remains uncertain, give credit wherever possible, and never claim an identity or authority that is not ours.

Last updated: July 2026