Dennis & Nancy Edaakie Zuni Cardinal inlaid sterling earrings 2.25" long with hooks x 5/8" wide. 13.5 grams total.

Dennis and Nancy Edaakie started making jewelry in 1965 and have become known for finely detailed bird imagery on pieces made in the overlay inlay technique. Dennis’s father, Merle Edaakie, did stonework for trader C. G. Wallace.

In 1970, at the urging of traders Ruth and Leon Ingram, Dennis and Nancy first produced inlay jewelry bearing images of birds. Overlay inlay is similar to Hopi overlay. In both methods, one piece of silver with a cut-out pattern is overlaid on another piece of the same size and shape. In the Hopi technique the bottom layer is darkened so that the cut-out areas contrast with the polished silver of the top layer. In the Zuni overlay inlay technique, mosaic stonework fills the blanks, forming a brilliantly colored counterpoint to the monochromatic silver. Beginning in the late 1970s, Dennis and Nancy further innovated on the overlay technique through the use of gold, as opposed to silver.

Dennis has been given credit for development of the spinner pendant, another design he developed at the urging of the Ingrams. This form of pendant can be reversed while remaining on the wearer’s neck. Dennis first produced flat spinner pendants, but he now also makes a domed version.

Nancy started out doing some of the inlay details on Dennis’s work and now does all of the inlay. Dennis has always done the silverwork on their pieces. They originally used a parrot beak stamp as their hallmark, since Dennis is of the parrot clan. Later, they used DENNIS E., and, subsequent to that, DENNIS AND NANCY EDAAKIE. Dennis and Nancy Edaakie’s sons, Myron, Sanford, Derrick and Dale, also make overlay inlay jewelry.

Unfortunately, Dennis passed away in early 2008.

Their sterling silver and genuine gemstone inlay bird pins and pendants are some of the most sought after pieces in Native American Indian jewelry. Much of their jewelry is made from sterling silver, turquoise, jet, mother of pearl, abalone, and coral. The Edaakie’s pieces are well known as being excellently hand-crafted; from their silver and gold technique to their impeccable inlay. They have passed the torch to their sons, who are trying to carry on their parents traditions. Dennis passed away close to Memorial Day of 2008, and Nancy is no longer producing jewelry. Their work will truly be appreciated by the world over for years to come!

All precious metals are tested and guaranteed, any Native American jewelry referred to as Silver or Sterling is guaranteed to be a minimum of 90% (coin) silver and possibly higher content. Anything marked is guaranteed to be what it's marked, most bracelets are photographed on a 6" wrist (non hairy), rings photographed on the appropriate sized finger when possible. With bracelets if the measurement is not given in the description then inside circumference is shown where the metal meets the number on the the cloth tape measure.