Leon Martinez

Leon Martinez is an award-winning Navajo (Diné) silversmith from Prewitt, New Mexico, known for his impeccable “Vintage Revival” style. Born into a family of artists in 1962, he began his career at the age of nine, assisting his parents, Leo and Edith Martinez, with buffering and soldering. This early start, combined with mentorship from iconic jewelers like Kirk Smith and Harry Morgan, helped Leon develop a signature aesthetic that blends heavy-gauge silver, deep stampwork, and an antique-polished finish.

A perfectionist by nature, Leon is known for hand-making his own components rather than using commercial parts, often working in ingot silver to achieve a traditional weight and feel. His dedication to quality has earned him multiple first-place ribbons at the Navajo Nation Fair in Window Rock and the prestigious Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial. Today, his work is featured in museum exhibitions and high-end galleries, cherished by collectors who seek the “Fine” Navajo jewelry look—where ancient design themes meet world-class technical execution.