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Navajo jewelry maker Tommy Jackson was born in Phoenix, Arizona in 1958. A full-blooded Navajo Indian from Chinle, Arizona, Jackson learned the art of silversmithing from his mother and father, Martha and Gene Jackson.  Tommy Jackson merges traditional Navajo designs with modern-day aesthetics in his gold and silver jewelry. In addition to having collectors across the globe, he has won numerous awards for his beautiful Navajo jewelry from Heard Museum Indian Market in Phoenix, Santa Fe Indian Market, and The Museum of Northern Arizona. 

Jackson graduated from University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education. Although he makes jewelry full-time, Tommy Jackson gives back to his community by teaching Navajo children at Wide Ruins Community School, where he teaches Navajo reading, writing, history and culture, and arts and crafts. Many of his former students are now established jewelers themselves.  Jackson and his wife, Marie Jackson have seven children and reside in Ganado, Arizona. “We thank God for blessing our hands and giving us the talent to make unique and beautiful Navajo jewelry.”

The Sleeping Beauty Turquoise mine is located near Globe, Arizona. Sleeping Beauty Turquoise is known for its solid sky blue color and lack of host rock matrix. However, natural Sleeping Beauty turquoise can come in a variety of shades and even include a dark host rock and pyrite. This mine skyrocketed to popularity in the 1970s and has become one of the most famous turquoise mines in the Southwest. The pale, clear blue colors offered by the Sleeping Beauty mine have become a staple in Native American jewelry. The mine claim is named after a nearby mountain, which resembles a woman sleeping on her back.