Tommy Singer (Navajo)

Tommy Singer discovered his talent for making jewelry at the age of 21. He first started with silver overlay, using traditional designs that go with the songs, ceremonies and prayers of the Navajo. He next began to experiment with inlay. While cutting his stones, he noticed the leftover chips of turquoise, etc. and thought it was a waste. One day he gathered the chips and put them into a piece of jewelry he was making. He piled them into a setting and grinded off the top. What he discovered was mosaic design inlay and began perfecting this process. His style was soon known as the the Singer style of chip inlay and became extremely popular in the 1970s. In the 80s, he went back to his traditional overlay style. Nowadays, when you find a chip inlay piece by Tommy Singer, be assured that there aren’t too many of them left.

Sterling Silver concho belt