Zuni jewellery is one of the most distinctive Native American art forms, and the pueblo is the best place to buy it. The hallmark Zuni style is needlepoint and petit point — tiny stones cut to precise shapes and set in elaborate mosaic patterns — and the stone-inlay work (called channel inlay) using turquoise, jet, red coral, white shell, and other materials. The craftsmanship required is extraordinary; the best Zuni jewellers are internationally recognised artists.
Many artists sell from their homes or from small studios around the pueblo; ask at the museum for recommendations. There are also several cooperative galleries. Prices for genuine handmade work reflect the labour involved — budget pieces may be machine-made imports. Ask whether the piece is handmade by a Zuni artist and whether it bears a hallmark. Buying directly from the artist means the money stays in the community.