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 About
Durango Silver Company
We, John and Estell Hartman, grew up in the southwest. We
had been influenced our entire life by the old west atmosphere
that we lived in. I, John, started collecting Winchesters,
Colts and Plains Indian Beadwork at the age of 12. Every Saturday
morning at 5:AM I used to go to one of the first gun swaps
in the nation. I used the money from my paper route to buy
western collectibles. In growing up, one of my good friends
was a native American, when we got out of high school, Steve
and I rented a house together. Steve introduced Estell and
I to Navajo Silver and we have admired it since.
After Estell and I got married, we decided to learn how
to make silver jewelry and began teaching ourselves. We were
very fortunate that several people helped us in learning the
trade. We have been blessed in the jewelry business since.
We started making our own jewelry as well as buying jewelry
for the Navajo, Hopi and Zuni Indians - we would then travel
in the western U.S. to sell it at a profit. We did this for
several years before we decided to settle down and build our
own Trading Post.
In 1975, we purchased our property just west of Durango
Colorado on the Hwy leading towards Mesa Verde National Park.
I, John, and a friend built a large log, lodge type, which
was soon to become our Trading Post. We opened in 1976 dealing
in antique firearms, antique Indian items, western memorabilia
and jewelry. We have had a brisk business here in Durango
since.
Estell and I had two children, Dillon and Crystal. Dillon
now runs the business with Estell and I and Crystal is in
her final year of college. Dillon loves this business, he
enjoys making jewelry, trading with the public and the lifestyle
this business provides.
If you come to Durango, make certain you plan on visiting
our Trading Company, it has become one of the most historic
trading companies in the Four Corners region. Heading west
from Durango towards Mesa Verde National Park, travel about
four miles until you see a large log lodge building with a
huge arch of deer antlers out front. This arch consists of
over 3,600 deer and elk shed antlers from this area. It is
an awesome site and you will want to take your pictures here.
Durango Silver
Company is known worldwide for its southwestern style
silver jewelry. You will find very unusual jewelry here that
you will not find anywhere else. We have been makers of fine
gold and silver jewelry for over 40 years now. We are known
for our custom gold jewelry in which we use gold nuggets,
elk teeth, high grade gold ore and fine stones. We use beautiful
Bisbee Blue, Blue Gem, Villa Grove, and other rare American
Turquoise in our jewelry. We are authorities and major enthusiasts
of fine turquoise.
We have been in the Native American art, crafts and memorabilia
business for over 40 years. You will find early American Frontier
items such as Plains Indian beadwork, stone artifacts, Navajo
rugs, baskets, old pawn jewelry, new American Indian jewelry,
antique firearms, silver spurs and more!
Make certain you do not miss Durango Silver Company -
It will be one of the highlights of your trip!
Open Monday - Saturday 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM - May thru December
and January thru April by appointment or chance.
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