Peterson Johnson - Navajo Sterling Silver
Lapis Lazuli Bracelet
HK Item #NS334

About Lapis Lazuli

Lapis is a deep blue stone often with gold flecking that twinkles like stars. The name lapis lazuli is a combination of the Latin word lapis ("stone") and the Arabian name azul, meaning "blue."
Denim lapis is a light bluish-white form of lapis lazuli. This stone comes close to the color of faded denim material, hence the name.

Many ancient cultures believed that lapis lazuli contained magical powers. In the Middle Ages, monks powdered the stone and kneaded it into dough with beeswax, resin and linseed oil, for use in illuminated manuscripts. Today, people around the world consider lapis lazuli to be a stone of truth and friendship. It is reputed to bring about harmony in relationships and to cleanse the mental body while releasing old karmic patterns.
Read about stones

Peterson Johnson is a self-taught artist who has won numerous awards throughout the Southwest and whose work is sought by collectors around the world. He was born in 1956 and began creating silverwork in 1976. He is very well known for his traditional Navajo jewelry, which shows meticulous workmanship and has a distinctive Peterson flair.

Peterson is known among fellow artists as "the machine" because he is SO meticulous in every detail of his work. The box clasps on his bracelet watches, for example, are finely tuned works of art. All of his jewelry is crafted with skill and precision to last a lifetime and be passed along to many generations.

Peterson and his wife Alyce live in Gallup, New Mexico and travel to art fairs and pow wows year round throughout the USA displaying Peterson's silver work and Alyce's beadwork.