Delbert Gordon — Navajo Silversmith

Delbert Gordon — Navajo Silversmith

There are silversmiths, and then there is Delbert Gordon. In a tradition rich with exceptional craft, Gordon occupies a tier reserved for the very few — artists whose work is immediately recognizable, technically unsurpassed, and genuinely collected rather than simply purchased. His pieces are found in private collections, galleries, and museums, and when they come to market they move quickly. If you see a Delbert Gordon piece at Turquoise Mustang, do not wait.

About the Artist

Delbert Gordon is a Navajo (Diné) silversmith from the Navajo Nation. He learned the craft in the traditional manner — through direct mentorship and years of hands-on practice — and has spent decades refining a body of work that draws deeply from Navajo silversmithing tradition while expressing a personal vision entirely his own. He has been a consistent presence at major Western jewelry shows across the American West, earning the respect of dealers, collectors, and fellow artists alike. His reputation is built not on promotion but on the undeniable quality of what he makes.

Stylistic Hallmarks

Delbert Gordon's work is defined by a set of recurring techniques that make his pieces immediately identifiable to trained eyes:

  • Peyote bird overlay — Gordon's signature motif. The peyote bird, rendered in precisely cut sterling silver overlay, appears on many of his cuffs as a layered form that casts a subtle shadow against the stamped ground beneath it.
  • Curled rope overlay — Hand-formed twisted rope silver, often used in combination with the peyote bird, that adds dimensional movement to the piece's surface.
  • Interior stampwork — Gordon's most extraordinary habit: he stamps the inside of his cuffs. The surface no one sees except the wearer. This is the mark of a craftsman who makes things right all the way through.
  • High-relief repousse — Dimensional work formed by pushing silver from behind, creating sculptural elevation that flat stampwork cannot achieve. Gordon's repousse is controlled, precise, and purposeful.
  • Deep oxidized finish — A rich patina that deepens the contrast between raised and recessed surfaces, making his stampwork read with exceptional clarity and drama.

Stones and Materials

Gordon is highly selective about the turquoise he works with. His preference runs to exceptional Kingman turquoise — particularly birdseye Kingman, the rarest variety from Arizona's Kingman Mine, characterized by circular golden matrix patterns on vivid blue-green turquoise. He also works with Red Web Kingman, whose distinctive crimson-brown matrix is caused by iron oxide in the host rock, and Royston turquoise from Nevada's Royston Mining District. Every stone in a Gordon piece has been chosen for its individual character. All metalwork is executed in heavy-gauge sterling silver — the weight is immediately apparent when you hold one, and that weight is a direct expression of the craft's integrity.

Why Collectors Pursue His Work

Delbert Gordon pieces appreciate. Several factors make his work particularly compelling for serious collectors:

  • Authenticity — Every Gordon piece carries his hallmark. Provenance is clear and documentable.
  • Technical rarity — The combination of peyote bird overlay, interior stampwork, and high-relief repousse in a single piece represents a level of technical investment that most silversmiths do not attempt.
  • Stone quality — Birdseye and Red Web Kingman are increasingly difficult to source as the Kingman Mine's finest material becomes rarer. Gordon's pieces preserve these stones in settings that honor their quality.
  • Market recognition — Gordon is a known and respected name among serious buyers of Native American jewelry. Pieces signed by him sell at premium and are recognized at auction.

Delbert Gordon at Turquoise Mustang

Turquoise Mustang has carried Delbert Gordon's work for years, building direct relationships that ensure our pieces are genuine, hallmarked, and properly attributed. Gordon pieces sell quickly. Current inventory includes collector-grade cuffs and rings featuring birdseye Kingman, Red Web Kingman, and Royston turquoise.

Browse the full Native American Collection or contact us to be notified when new Gordon pieces arrive.