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Want Vintage Charles Loloma Jewelry? Learn about the history, jewelry marks, materials used, collectible pieces, and where to buy.
Charles Loloma was many things: a Hopi priest, world traveler, potter, weaver and self-taught silversmith. He became a highly influential jeweler. He popularized the use of gold and gemstones not previously used in Hopi jewelry.
Brief History of Charles Loloma Jewelry
Charles Loloma was born in 1921 in Arizona. He began his artistic career as a muralist and painter at Phoenix Indian High School, He assisted in the reproduction of murals from the Hopi reservation for New York City’s Museum of Modern Art. He later worked on murals in the Federal Building for the the Golden Gate International Exposition in 1939.
Charles served in the US Army during World War II and later attended Alfred University's School for American Craftsmen in Alfred, New York, on the GI Bill. He learned how to make stronger mixes of clay and modern methods of forming and firing pieces. He earned a Certificate in Pottery and, in 1954, opened a pottery shop in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he sold his line of pottery called Lolomaware.
In 1955, he began dabbling in creating jewelry and eventually this new art form became his passion. Ironically, his first efforts were rejected from Native American exhibitions, as not being “Indian enough.” Granted, some of his designs were inspired by cultures from around the world, although he never left behind his own traditions. Noteworthy are his Hopi interpretations of Egyptian deities. He also used materials that were unusual, such as gold, diamonds, ivory and wood. He also explored different techniques for jewelry making, such as tufa casting (tufa is compressed volcanic ash with a unique texture), a labor-intensive process. He also developed the technique of using gems of various heights as inlay (as high as an inch and a half) and included gems on the inside of his pieces, unseen when the pieces were worn. He wanted to honor the inner beauty of the wearer.
In 1963, his jewelry became internationally known and coveted due to an exhibition in Paris. Mamie Eisenhower, wife of the former president, and President Lyndon B. Johnson were among the many to commission pieces. His superb designs led to an artist residency in Japan and a commission for the Queen of Denmark.
In 1974, he won first prize in the Scottsdale National Indian Art Exhibition and continued to win for the six following years.
Some of Charles’s jewelry reflect the Hopi landscape in miniature topographies where gems and woods provide lustrous, flat surfaces contrasted with jagged shapes. Some reflect the skyscrapers in Manhattan. Likewise, his pieces summon up both the earthbound and heavenly, the Stone Age and the Space Age. During his last decade, he used Mikimoto pearls, diamonds and exotic woods he collected on trips through Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
In 1986, an auto accident greatly affected Charles’s health and, despite periods of recovery, eventually led to his death at age 69.
Charles Loloma Jewelry Mark
Charles Loloma only used one mark, it is a stylized version of his last name:
Materials Used in Charles Loloma Jewelry
- Silver
- Gold
- Diamonds
- Turquoise
- Prehistoric turquoise
- Coral
- Lapis lazuli
- Malachite
- Sugilite
- Citrine
- Tiger’s eye
- Pearls
- Onyx
- Jade
- Charoite
- Fossilized ivory
- Ostrich shell beads
- Ironwood
- Rare woods (cocobolo, tiger, ebony)
- Petrified wood
Favorite Collectibles: Vintage Charles Loloma Jewelry
1960s. This is a modern Hopi silver cuff-style bracelet with height inlay. The hollow silver cuff is unadorned along its edges and features a wide channel of stone and height inlay down the center in ironwood, ostrich shell beads, turquoise and ivory.
Hopi Sterling Silver Shield Ring with Coral and Turquoise Inlay
Estate. This is a rare find. A shield ring fashioned in 14K gold with an inlay of different kinds of rare turquoise and coral.
Estate. This is a rare 3-split band in tufa-cast sterling silver cuff bracelet set with a large green turquoise stone wrapped in a solid 14K yellow gold bezel.
1960s-1970s. This bracelet, designed as a stacked series of varied-width turquoise, 4 lapis lazuli segments, and 2 18K gold rectangles, curves around the wrist. The design evokes traditional bead strands that are wrapped around the arm. While the turquoise is a nod to traditional native culture, the treatment shows an understanding of modern jewelry.
1970s. Sterling silver ring with classic inlaid design of 14K gold, turquoise, coral, malachite, lapis lazuli, fossilized shell and ironwood.
Tips for Buying Vintage Charles Loloma Jewelry
- Charles’s jewelry is engraved with a very distinctive stylized version of his name.
- Charles’s pieces are high end. For instance, a bracelet from the 1980s might sell for $16,000; a pair of 1980s earrings for $1,200; and, among the lowest prices available, a pair of 14K gold and coral earrings for $750.
- Once you begin studying Charles Loloma jewelry, you will, rather easily, recognize his distinctive style, but still do your due diligence.
- The internet is a good way to start your collection. Find websites that provides lots of information: vintage dates, origin of maker, prices, dimensions, and multiple images.
- If the site has a “brick and mortar” location, it’s a good sign—they have likely been in business for a while.
- If the business is only internet based, you need to be more cautious. Check out the site thoroughly, ask for authenticity certificates and make sure you know the return policies.
- If the vendor is a member of the Antique Tribal Art Dealer Association (ATADA), it’s a very good sign.
- The most trustworthy vendors do not usually say that a stone, for instance turquoise, has to be from a specific mine. He or she will, instead, give you a selection of possibilities.
- The most important issue with turquoise is that is natural and not treated with a resin.
You can find a decent selection Charles Loloma jewelry on eBay. Have a look and see if something catches your eye!
It’s an awesome post designed for all the internet viewers; they will obtain benefit from it I am sure.
Thanks!
Susannah
Way cool! Some very valid points! I appreciate you penning this post and also the rest
of the site is extremely good.
Thank you,
Susannah
I purchased two gold and turquoise rings made by Charles Loloma, approximately 1978, but I have worn them lots, so there is no marking that can be seem in the gold no longer; so how does a person authenticate they were made by Charles Loloma? They were purchased in Rapid City SD at Jenny’s “House of Tourquoise”
Hello Doris,
The only way to know for sure is to get them appraised and valued by a professional. We recommend you try one of the following websites: whatsitworthartappraisals.com, valuemystuff.com. or drloriv.com.
Best of luck!
Susannah