Clay Thorp
The secret no Santa Fe local Plaza goer wants you to know is that LJS is probably the best custom maker and repairer of vintage Native American jewelry in New Mexico. There’s a place that every Native American jewelry seller on the Plaza goes to have their jewelry fixed. They go to LJS. That means you will probably wait 3 to 6 months for any repair you leave with them. They service the entire Plaza and there’s a reason. It’s because their craftsmanship and attention to detail are worth the wait. I have had many vintage pieces with varying repair needs go to LJS and come back looking like the original Zuni artist themselves laid hands on it. It’s not easy to chemically match sterling patina that has been building since the 1960s, but somehow LJS does it with ease. They are an absolute wealth of knowledge regarding vintage provenance and turquoise and other valuable stones typically used in Native American jewelry. If you have a custom piece in mind, bring them your metal and stones of choice and they will make you whatever you want. There are very few operations in Santa Fe still standing whose craftsmanship and attention to detail are still as affordable and accessible as LJS. They really are Santa Fe’s most treasured hidden jewelry gem on the Plaza. We love going in whenever we can just to browse and say hi. Thanks very much for your work, you guys!