David Rosales Solid Sterling Silver Country 1" Belt Buckle

David Rosales, is one of the most respected contemporary jewelry designers working today. In 1997, he co-founded Supersmith Inc., bringing together a team of highly skilled Native American silversmiths and inlay artists to produce bold, fashion-forward designs that still honor deep cultural traditions.

David is known for his innovative use of stone combinations, blending materials like turquoise, sugilite, opal, lapis, black jade, and coral into intricate inlay patterns. His commitment to exceptional craftsmanship and cutting-edge style has helped shape the identity of David Rosales Designs, a premier Native jewelry brand recognized nationwide.

Today, his daughter Sheree Rosales Wright continues the legacy, leading Supersmith with both creative and operational oversight. Sheree has brought a fresh, modern perspective to the company while preserving its artistic integrity and commitment to Native artisan production.

Together, the Rosales family has elevated Native American jewelry to new heights—combining tradition with innovation, and empowering a team of Native artists whose work reflects pride, heritage, and excellence.

His work has been featured all over the country including Caesar's Palace, In-Style Magazine, Cowboy and Indian Magazine, Niche Magazine, Native People Magazine and has been seen on the Alley McBeal Show.

David has “handpicked” many of the talented Navajo and Zuni silver and goldsmiths that create each piece of jewelry by hand. Supersmith strives to exceed expectations of designs and quality in beautiful, wearable art. All David Rosales jewelry designs can be ordered in any stone color combination listed and/or in White Gold or 14K gold. Special order pricing will be provided upon request. All pieces are also available in your choices of raised cobble inlay or smooth inlay.

Sterling Silver in Native American Jewelry

Sterling silver has been a cornerstone of Native American jewelry-making for over a century. Introduced through trade and colonial contact in the late 1800s, silver quickly became a favored material among Navajo, Zuni, and Hopi artisans. Navajo silversmiths were among the first to adopt its use, learning techniques from Mexican metalsmiths and blending them with their own cultural motifs to create bold, handcrafted jewelry that remains iconic today.

Sterling silver is composed of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals, usually copper. This composition is denoted by the ".925" stamp found on authentic pieces, ensuring durability while retaining the precious metal’s brilliance and softness for hand-tooling.

Most silver used today is mined in countries like Mexico, Peru, China, and the United States (notably Arizona and Nevada). Native artists often work with American-mined silver for its cultural and geographical ties to the Southwest.

Care Tips:

• To maintain a bright, polished finish, gently clean sterling silver with a soft cloth or use a designated silver cleaning cloth to remove tarnish.

• To preserve the natural oxidation or patina, which many collectors cherish for its depth and character, simply wear the jewelry regularly and avoid over-cleaning. The patina develops naturally over time and enhances the handmade detail and stamping of each piece.

Whether kept polished or allowed to age gracefully, sterling silver serves as both canvas and frame for the stunning stones and stories embedded in Native American jewelry.