Every piece we represent as Native American-made is verified before it is offered -- a commitment we have upheld since day one.
At The Humiovi, authenticity is not merely a selling point -- it is the foundation of everything we do. When you purchase a piece we represent as Native American-made, you receive our unwavering guarantee that it was made by the Native American artist and tribe named on its product page, from the materials it describes.
The Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990 makes it illegal to misrepresent products as “Indian made” when they are not. According to the Indian Arts and Crafts Board (U.S. Department of the Interior), counterfeit and misrepresented Native American art costs tribal artisans an estimated $1 billion in lost revenue annually. The Humiovi was a longtime member of the Indian Arts and Crafts Association (IACA) until its dissolution in 2018.
We understand that the market for Native American jewelry includes imitations and mass-produced copies. Since 1972 we have built our collection through direct relationships with artists, their families and the traders we know, and we do not buy from anonymous sources. For every piece we represent as Native American-made, its tribal affiliation is recorded, and its maker is named wherever known.
Our authenticity guarantee covers what each product page represents. For every piece, that is its materials and craftsmanship; for a piece we represent as Native American-made, it is also the tribal affiliation named on its page. Pieces from outside that tradition, such as our knives and our Southwestern-style pieces, are described for what they are and are not represented as Native American-made, and carry no Certificate of Authenticity. Every piece we represent as Native American-made includes a Certificate of Authenticity (CoA) recording the piece and its materials, and, where its tribe is on record, its tribal affiliation and the Indian Arts and Crafts Act guarantee. If any piece is ever found not to be what its product page represents, we will provide a full exchange -- no questions asked.
Our four-step authentication process is how we stand behind what each product page represents.
Pieces we represent as Native American-made reach us through direct relationships with artists, their families and the traders we know, many of them long-term partnerships rooted in mutual respect and trust. We do not buy from anonymous sources.
Before we represent a piece as Native American-made, we verify its maker's tribal affiliation and keep documentation of their heritage and tribal membership.
Each piece we represent as Native American-made is inspected for artisan hallmarks, stamps, and signatures that identify the maker and their tribal tradition.
Every piece we represent as Native American-made includes a Certificate of Authenticity recording the piece, its materials and its artist where known, and, where its tribe is on record, its verified tribal affiliation and the Indian Arts and Crafts Act guarantee.
Understanding the hallmarks of authentic Native American jewelry empowers you as a collector. Here are the key indicators our experts examine:
Authentic pieces are typically signed or stamped by the artisan. These marks may include the artisan's initials, a pictorial hallmark, or a clan symbol. We can trace every hallmark in our collection back to a specific artisan.
Genuine Native American jewelry uses natural, high-quality materials. Turquoise should have natural matrix patterns -- no two stones are identical. Sterling silver is marked .925 and has a distinct weight and luster compared to plated or imitation metals.
Hand-fabricated pieces show subtle variations that distinguish them from machine-produced items. Look for hand-cut bezels, hand-stamped designs, and individually set stones. These imperfections are not flaws -- they are the fingerprints of the artisan.
Different tribes are known for distinct techniques: Navajo silverwork, Zuni inlay and needlepoint, Hopi overlay, and Santo Domingo heishi beadwork. Authentic pieces reflect these tribal traditions accurately, not as generic imitations of “Southwest style.”
Our relationships with Native American artisans are built on respect, fairness, and a shared commitment to preserving traditional craftsmanship. We pay fair market value for every piece, and we never pressure artisans to alter their techniques or cultural expressions to suit commercial trends.
Many of our artisan partners have worked with The Humiovi for years, and some represent multi-generational families of jewelers. We are honored to serve as a bridge between these talented creators and collectors around the world who appreciate the depth and beauty of their work.
When you buy a Native American-made piece from The Humiovi, you support its maker and the continuation of artistic traditions that have thrived for centuries.
