BOYD TSOSIE
(Navajo b. 1954 – presert)
Boyd Tsosie is a jeweler who draws inspiration from the rich heritage of his Navajo traditions. Born in 1954, he has been making jewelry since he was sixteen years of age. In 1979, Boyd Tsosie was only 23. He was already among the top echelon of Southwestern jewelers / silversmiths (both past and present). Boyd was featured in Arizona Highways along with other greats like Jesse Monongye, his brother Richard Tsosie, Gibson Nez, James Little, and Larry Golsch. These Navajo silversmiths all would go on to build fine reputations and set the standards you see today for Southwest jewelry.
Kenneth Begaye, a teacher at the Navajo Community College on the Navajo Reservation, inspired Boyd at a young age. Boyd gives credit to Kenneth for teaching him his trade. Kenneth Begay has been deemed the father of modern Navajo jewelry. Before Kenneth Begay, Navajo Indian Jewelry was much like it had been for the past 100 years. Navajo jewelry had a strong Spanish influence. Which is entirely understandable since it was a Mexican silversmith (who learned from the Spanish) that taught the first Navajo to work silver.
Boyd considers Kenneth Begay a major influence and carries on today the work of Kenneth Begay. Boyd Tsosie continues to move Navajo jewelry forward and he, like Kenneth Begay, generously shares his knowledge with other silversmiths.
Boyd, working with his brother Richard, first gained widespread recognition for his soldered flower and leaf designs. Later, he moved his jewelry designs to a more complex, contemporary look.
Over the years Boyd has developed a contemporary style of work primarily in 14K gold combined with turquoise, coral, lapis, and sugilite. Boyd feels that he is creating “tomorrow’s tradition” in Navajo jewelry by being given the rights and prayers by his elders to create his special pieces.
He is featured in Navajo Indian Jewelry and Enduring Traditions by Jerry and Lois Jacka and North American Indian Jewelry and Adornment by Lois Dubin.
In recent years, Boyd and his son have given back to the Navajo Nation with a nonprofit to give counsel and help to those with substance challenges.
