Haida & Northwest Coast Indigenous Jewelry
Discover Haida jewelry and Northwest Coast jewelry handcrafted by Indigenous artists: rings, bracelets, pendants, necklaces, and earrings engraved in gold, sterling silver, and copper or carved from argillite. Each piece is made individually, and many are rooted in formline, the traditional design language of Haida art.
About Haida Jewelry
Haida jewelry engraved in metal grew out of a time of resistance. Traditionally, tattooing was one way Haida people documented their crests and their clan and family affiliations. During the Potlatch ban of 1884 to 1951, cultural practices such as potlatching, speaking the Haida language, and tattooing were outlawed. Haida artists found a way to continue representing their crests and clans by engraving them on metal jewelry, such as wide cuff bracelets. This carried the practice forward in a new medium, within the rules the Canadian government imposed at the time.
Today, that act of resistance has grown into a whole category of art: Haida jewelry in gold, sterling silver, and copper. Many pieces use formline, a structured visual language of flowing lines, ovoids, and U-forms used to depict crests, ancestors, and the natural world. The figures you'll see, such as Eagle, Raven, Orca, Bear, and Hummingbird, can carry meaning tied to clan identity, family lineage, and oral history. That meaning belongs to the artist and their Nation, so the best way to understand a specific piece is through the artist who made it. We're always happy to share what an artist has told us.
For a deeper look at the tradition behind these works, visit our Haida art collection.
Looking for Something One-of-a-Kind?
Work with our artists to design custom Indigenous jewelry that's uniquely yours. Custom engagement rings, wedding bands, pendants, bracelets, earrings, and whatever else you can imagine are available by commission in gold, silver, or copper, designed to your size, style, and story.
Learn About Our Custom Jewelry Projects
Northwest Coast Jewelry Artists
The Northwest Coast jewelry in this collection is made by Haida and Ts'msyen artists, each working from their own training, family lineage, and style.
- James Sawyer (Haida, Skidegate Giidins Clan) comes from a family of carvers and now works primarily in engraved gold, silver, and copper Haida jewellery. His work here includes 14K gold wrap rings, pendants, and sterling silver bracelets.
- Alvin Adkins (Haida) started out as a woodcarver. He now brings those skills to deeply engraved sterling silver jewelry, including Eagle and Raven bracelets.
- Morgan Asoyuf (Ts'msyen, Eagle Clan) is a goldsmith, engraver, and gem setter whose pieces include a 10K gold Salmon Bone Vertebrae pendant and a Hummingbird necklace.
- Melanie Russ (Haida, Skidegate) is one of few women Haida carvers and is known for intricate detail in her argillite jewelry and carvings.
- Amy Edgars (Haida, Old Massett) is one of few Haida women argillite carvers and has gathered argillite from Slatechuck Mountain herself. Her carved argillite earrings are part of this collection.
Visit each artist's page to learn more about their Nation, background, and practice.
Haida & Northwest Coast Jewelry FAQ
What is Haida jewelry?
Haida jewelry is handcrafted by artists of the Haida Nation, whose ancestral home is Haida Gwaii, off the northern coast of British Columbia. It is most often engraved in gold, sterling silver, or copper, or carved from argillite, and many pieces use formline design to depict crests, ancestors, and the natural world.
What is Northwest Coast jewelry?
Northwest Coast jewelry is made by Indigenous artists from Nations along the Pacific Northwest Coast. Through our gallery and custom commissions, we work with Haida, Gitxsan, Kwakwaka'wakw, Nuxalk, and Ts'msyen Nation artists. Formline is used across Northwest Coast art, but each Nation and each artist has their own distinct style. We recommend learning about the artist behind any piece you're considering.
Is every piece in this collection Indigenous jewelry made by an Indigenous artist?
Most are, and we credit the artist and their Nation on each product page. The collection also includes a few complementary pieces, such as Canadian diamond studs and a gallery-designed sterling silver pendant, that aren't attributed to an Indigenous artist. If you're looking specifically for a piece made by a Haida or Northwest Coast Indigenous artist, check the artist credit on the listing or contact us and we'll help you find one.
Is it appropriate for non-Indigenous people to wear Haida jewelry?
It's a question worth understanding properly. Haida art generally falls into three categories: ceremonial pieces, which are made for use within the culture and not sold; crest art, which represents an individual's clan lineage and is bestowed within the Haida Nation; and art made for trade, which has been part of Haida artistic tradition since long before European contact — created by Haida artists expressly for exchange with other nations and, later, the wider world.
The pieces available at Crystal Cabin Gallery fall into that third category. They are made by Haida and Indigenous artists for sale, continuing a tradition of trade that has always been part of how Haida art reaches the world. Purchasing and wearing these pieces is a way of supporting living artists and the ongoing vitality of their tradition — provided it's done with some knowledge of who made it and why it matters.
How do I find my ring or bracelet size?
For rings, have your finger measured by a local jeweler and note the ring width you want. Our wrap rings are adjustable for sizes 5 to 9 and can be resized before or after purchase. For bracelets, measure your wrist with a piece of string. Standard bracelets fit 5 to 7 inch wrists, and cuff bracelets can be adjusted at the back gap. Contact us about sizes outside these ranges.
What materials are used?
The collection includes pieces in 10K, 14K, and 22K gold, sterling silver, and copper, as well as argillite. Argillite is a black slate from Haida Gwaii that has been carved by Haida artists for generations.
I have a metal allergy. What are my options?
Contact us for options. We carry jewelry in copper, sterling silver, and 10K to 18K gold, and custom pieces can be made in a metal that works for you.
How do I care for my jewelry?
Clean gold, silver, and copper with a polishing cloth. Avoid steam or ultrasonic cleaning on oxidized (blackened) pieces, abalone inlay, or gemstones unless you've checked with a jeweler first. Copper naturally develops a patina, which you can polish away or embrace, and storing pieces in airtight bags slows tarnish. Don't wear argillite while swimming or showering. It develops a natural shine from the oils in your skin.
What do the animals and figures in Haida jewelry represent?
Haida crests and figures — such as the Eagle, Raven, Orca, Wolf, and Bear — carry specific meanings tied to clan identity, family lineage, and oral history. The significance of a particular image belongs to the artist and their Nation, and meanings can vary. If you'd like to understand the story behind a specific piece, we encourage you to reach out — our staff are happy to share what the artist has told us.
Why is Haida jewelry engraved?
Haida metal engraving grew out of resistance. When the Potlatch ban (1884 to 1951) outlawed practices including tattooing, which Haida people used to document crests and clan affiliations, artists continued that tradition by engraving crests onto metal jewelry. It has since become a celebrated art form of its own.
Can I commission custom Haida or Northwest Coast jewelry?
Yes. Many of our artists accept custom commissions, including engagement rings, wedding bands, pendants, bracelets, and earrings. Most custom pieces take 8 to 12 weeks. Visit our custom jewelry page, email store@crystalcabingallery.com, or call 1-250-557-4383 to get started.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes, Crystal Cabin Gallery ships worldwide. Shipping details and rates are available at checkout.
