Frequently Asked Questions
Authenticity & Sourcing:
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Yes—100%. Every piece we offer is Native American-made, and we stand behind that with an authenticity guarantee.
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Yes, we do! If any item we sell is proven not to be authentic Native American-made jewelry, you’ll receive a 100% refund. We take accuracy seriously, and we’d rather lose a sale than sell something questionable.
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We evaluate pieces using a combination of maker information (when available), hallmarks, construction methods, materials, and design/cultural context—along with years of studying and collecting NA jewelry, as well as long-standing relationships in the Native jewelry community.
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Never. We do not carry imported “Southwest style” jewelry or imitation turquoise. We are pretty bullish about that. We are 100% about supporting Native artists and the communities where they’re from.
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Both. We curate a mix of vintage and contemporary work—many of which are one-of-a-kind or small-batch pieces with real character and craftsmanship.
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Yes—Suzanne is a member of the Authentic Tribal Art Dealers Association (ATADA), which supports ethical practices and integrity in the tribal art field.
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Yes, we’d love to! If you’re looking for something specific (size, budget, stone type, era, tribe/artist), send us a message on our Contact Us page and we’ll follow up with any questions and next steps.
Returns & Refunds:
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Returns are accepted up to 14 days after delivery. Day 1 starts when tracking shows “delivered.”
Refunds (or store credit—your choice) are issued to the original form of payment within 2–3 business days after the return is received and inspected.
Returned items must be in original condition or no refund will be issued. Please pack your return carefully for shipment. We also recommend insuring the package.
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Unfortunately, we do not accept returns on custom-made items. You’re welcome to join our Facebook group and, following our community guidelines, see if anyone would like to purchase it from you.
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All returns must be authorized via email before being sent back. Email us at: info@navajewelryshop.com
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Items must be in original condition. Please do not polish or alter items before returning and pack the shipping box carefully to avoid damage in transit.
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In most cases the customer is responsible for return shipping. We strongly recommend using tracking and insurance. Lost return packages are not the responsibility of Navajewelry.
If the return is due to a rare error or oversight on our part we will send you a shipping label.
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We offer evaluations and value guidance, but we are not licensed appraisers. Our reports are not intended for insurance claims, estates, or legal proceedings.
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We strive to provide a detailed report that includes artist identification and/or tribal affiliation (when supported), approximate age/era, materials and construction notes, collector context, and a fair-market value range based on comparable sales and condition.
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Usually not. Turquoise can vary significantly—even within the same mine—so visual ID isn’t reliable. We can recommend testing resources if that level of analysis is needed. Check out our Evaluations page for more details.
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Written reports are $100 per piece and typically require 6 weeks lead time. Evaluations are conducted remotely or in person when possible. Large collections may be quoted with a flat fee. See more details on our Evaluations page.
Evaluations can be expedited for an additional fee.
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Clear, well-lit photos (front/back/sides), clear close-ups of hallmarks/signatures, measurements, weight in grams (if available), and any known history/provenance.
Jewelry Evaluations:
Donations:
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Yes, we do! At least 10% of proceeds are donated to verified Native-led nonprofits serving communities in the Southwestern U.S.
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We donate to vetted, Native American-focused non-profit organizations. You can see our list on our Donations page. We will continue to add to this page as we verify and add groups.
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Yes! Our Donations page includes a place to donate directly to verified Native organizations. 100% of all donations made on our website are distributed to our vetted organizations.
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Yes, we’d love to hear from you! Send us a message and let us know of any great Native-focused organizations we should know about.
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Yes—private showings are available by appointment in my studio San Francisco. Or we can meet at a coffee shop close by!
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Not at this time. All visitors must make an appointment ahead of time through my website. Appointments allow us to curate thoughtfully and give you an unhurried experience. There is never any pressure to buy, period. We hate high-pressure sales and vow never to treat people that way.
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We can guide you to pieces based on your preferences (sizes, styles, stones, budget) or you can simply browse on your own. You can try pieces on, compare, ask questions, and take your time—no pressure! We love sharing this incredible art work with others.
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Yes, please note this when booking. I share my studio with two feline friends, Mo and Cleo, and they may be present during appointments. If allergies are a concern, we can meet at a local coffee shop or choose a virtual option.
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Make sure to check out the page on my site for detailed information and more FAQs, specific to your in-person appointment with me!
Visting in Person:
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Yes—Suzanne regularly hosts Facebook Live events where you can learn, ask questions, and claim pieces in real time. Learn more about our Live Sales on our Events Page.
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Shipping on Navajewelry Shop is FREE if you live in the United States. We ship USPS Priority Mail. Orders over $500 require a signature upon delivery. If you DO NOT want to have to sign for your package, please email Suzanne immediately after making your purchase and let her know. Please include the item name/description and Order Number in your message. Email us at: info@navajewelryshop.com.
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At the moment, we typically offer shipping only within the U.S., but if you’re outside the U.S., please contact us and we’ll see if we can help.
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In-stock items ship according to the timeline shown at checkout (or as confirmed via email). Once an item purchased via layaway is fully paid, it ships right away.
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We pack items with extreme care to prevent this, but once a package is out of our hands we have no control from that point. We have an excellent track record of safe shipping with all three major US carriers but can offer no guarantees so shipping insurance is always recommended.
In the very rare case of a lost or damaged shipment, filing a claim would be the customer’s responsibility and we’ll support in any way we can. -
Yes—layaway is available for purchases over $500.
10% down is required to begin.
A one-time, non-refundable 5% convenience fee is due at the same time as the down payment.
Items must be paid off within 6 months of the down payment date or all prior payments are forfeited.
If, during the six months after down payment, you decide not to purchase the item(s) after all, any prior payments are forfeited.
No payment reminders are sent.
Shipping fees apply.
Items ship immediately once paid in full.
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Layaway requires additional admin and holding inventory off the market. The one-time fee helps support that process while keeping layaway items reserved. We feel strongly that offering layaway is a valuable service and the fee helps us continue to provide it.