ROBERT JOHNSON
Navajo silversmith Robert Johnson was born in Gallup, NM, raised in Pindale NM and graduated from Gallup High School in 1986. He started his career as a silversmith at the age of 14 as a buffer for his parent’s handmade sterling silver beads.
Robert met the late silversmith, Kirk Smith, known for his unique styles of antique finish repousse stamp work, during the summer of 1986. Kirk became a mentor for Robert and taught him the art of creating jewelry – traditional Navajo stamping with an antique finish, at times high polished pieces all of which started from bracelets, earrings, concho belts, rings, squash blossoms, hair tie’s and so forth. It was an exciting time of in his life – learning a new trade and being able to support his family.
Robert has enjoyed his work as a silversmith and has developed his own unique styles of Navajo Jewelry. Creating jewelry is his passion. His creations include handmade antique finished and sometimes high polished traditional and contemporary Navajo jewelry from squash blossoms to concho belts, earrings, bracelets/cuffs, rings and hair clips with sterling silver, turquoise and various gemstones.
