Hello my name is Langston Thompson. I am a third generation silversmith and a first generation goldsmith as well as working with other aspects of metal working such as platinum, rhodium, etc. I currently live in the Navajo reservation. I currently live in the Navajo reservation. I am a veteran wtih an honorable discharge, and I love making, designing and repairing jewelry.
When I first started taking part in making jewelry I was 12 years old helping my grandmother with polishing jewelry as well as working the kilns to melt silver for sand casting that my grandmother did. I learned how to make my own stamp making tools for stampwork of silver and this is where I learned to make stamps for concho belts. Although I do almost all aspects of jewelry making, stampwork is my favorite to do. This was the beginning of a long journey of studying jewelry making in the past 31 years.
One of the very first things I learned outside of stampwork and sand casting was the art of doing inlay work, which is cutting stones to make designs within a piece of jewelry. From there I learned different types of casting, tufa stone casting, sling casting, lost wax casting, vacuum casting and finally induction casting. With doing these casting I learned to work with other metals other than silver. Then finally to make my work more interesting I developed the skill to do repair work. Although it doesn’t seem like a big thing to learn, it fine tuned my ability to be a better jeweler because most jewelers didn’t have the ability to do so. With all the learning I wanted to develop more knowledge and so I turned to the semiprecious stone setting. which consists of diamonds, emeralds. sapphire, etc. learned to do pave work and channel setting and finally even the art of invisible setting diamonds.
Making and repairing jewelry has been a long and challenging art that I always continue to learn. Although some metalsmiths chose to claim the title of “master jeweler, I myself don’t consider myself a “master jeweler”. A master jeweler is someone who has mastered ALL aspects of jewelry making, i believe that there is always something to learn with making and repairing jewelry.
A highlighted Navajo artist from Prewitt, NM, has his work in many renowned reputable galleries, museums & magazines worldwide.
Thirty years of Silversmithing has taught Leon the skills & patience to create extraordinary quality pieces of collectible art. Leon has created unbelievable Squash Blossoms, Concho Belts, Bow Guards, Bolos, Neckwear, Pendants, Bracelets, Rings, Horse Tack, Bull Spurs.
Leon has kept the late 1800’s to the early 1900’s old Navajo style, weight of the silver, handmade tools, techniques of his ancestor’s in his work. Leon also incorporates modern contemporary designs that come from within his heart.
Throughout Leon’s journey, he has won 1st place awards at the Navajo Nation Fair, the Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial, Santa Fe Indian Market and the Totah Art Festival. He has shown at many juried shows including the Phoenix Heard Guild Museum.
Leon’s art has been published in the “Cowboys & Indians” magazine & the “Native American Art” magazine.
Toney Mitchell Was born and raised on the southwest part of the Dine Indian reservation, in and around Tolani Lake, Arizona.
He is Tachinii (Red Running into the water), born for Ashii’hi (Salt people). His maternal grandparents are Ta’baahi (Edge Water people) and his paternal grandparents are Tl’izii Lani (Many Goats). These are his Dineh clans.
Early on, he attended school in Leupp, AZ and later graduated from Fort Wingate High School in New Mexico. After his schooling, he enlisted in the U.S. Army.
His late brother, Leo Mitchell introduced him to metal work and silversmithing. From then on, through trial and error he developed the skills necessary to hone his craft.
He believes that his innate artistic talent comes from his mother who is a traditional weaver of exquisite Navajo rugs. The geometric patterns and designs she uses, he also uses in his silverwork. He says his parents’ traditional oral teachings and his own beliefs constantly and continuously remind him of who he is and the artist he is.
He takes great pride in his work. He uses only carefully chosen stones and hand-picked, high-quality silver and materials to create unique pieces.
He wishes to thank all the many individuals that support and continue to collect his art.
His art has been exhibited at:
Authentic turquoise and fine jewelry rooted in Southwestern tradition, handcrafted by Native American artists and trusted by collectors.
