Myronpanteah

Myron Panteah (Zuni)

A third-generation jeweler, he learned his craft by watching his father and grandmother and playing with their jewelry-making tools. His talent was immediately recognized by one of today’s best artistic eyes, jeweler Duane Makita (Hopi/ Laguna Pueblo) who invited Panteah to be part of his Pueblo V Design Institute.

Panteah’s jewelry used to contain inlayed stones, but a couple years ago he suffered a severe cut in the muscles of his right hand, causing him to lose the feeling in his thumb and first two fingers. Since he can’t hold stones (though recently he has been trying again), he currently expresses himself

through metalwork- traditional Navajo stamp and overlay. “People love gold and silver combinations,” he explains.