Santa Fe, New Mexico
Silversmithing, Lapidary Art & Jewelry Classes
Explore the work and teaching of Jamie Halpern, a silversmith, lapidary artist, and jewelry instructor based in New Mexico.
The Work
Stone, silver, and a Southwestern flair
My finished work demonstrates the craftsmanship I bring to my teaching. Each piece combines metalwork, stone, inlay, and traditional jewelry-making techniques — hand-cut silver, carefully fitted bezels, and stones chosen for color and character.
My practice is rooted in the arts and jewelry-making traditions of the Southwest and shaped by extensive travels, working with sterling silver, turquoise, and semi-precious stones through inlay and other stone-setting techniques.
Teaching
Workshops & Silversmithing Instruction
I lead the silversmithing program at Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, New Mexico, teaching silversmithing, lapidary skills, and jewelry-making techniques through hands-on, studio-based learning.
All workshops are listed on the GhostRanch.org website under 'Programs: Silversmithing and Jewelry'.
Location: Ghost Ranch, Abiquiu, New Mexico
Portfolio
A Body of Work Built on Craft
Here is a representative selection from my portfolio — sterling silver, turquoise, and semi-precious stones in inlay and stone-setting techniques. The gallery is a look at my work, not a storefront.
Bracelet
Petrified horn coral and turquoise in sterling silver.
Rings
Sterling silver inlay rings with turquoise, coral, lapis lazuli and sodalite.
Pendant
Turquoise in open-back sterling silver. 2" pendant.
Bracelets
Paired turquoise inlay cuffs in polished sterling silver.
Belt Buckle
Sterling silver overlay with turquoise inlay. 4" x 2.25" belt buckle.
Bracelet
Lapis lazuli channel inlay bracelet with sterling silver.
Ring
Nuummite (from Greenland), moonstone and onyx.
Pendants
Two pendants with rolled silver backing and rough stones.
A deep appreciation for Southwestern arts and jewelry-making styles.
Why It Matters
The Work Behind the Teaching
My portfolio is more than a showcase — it demonstrates the techniques, craftsmanship, and design knowledge I bring into every workshop. Students learn from a working silversmith whose own bench is always busy.
Material Knowledge
Working fluently with sterling silver, turquoise, and a wide range of semi-precious stones — from lapis and sugilite to petrified dinosaur bone.
Stone & Metal Technique
Inlay, bezel stone-setting, and traditional fabrication methods, demonstrated in finished pieces rather than described in theory.
Hands-On Craftsmanship
Studio teaching built around doing: sawing, filing, soldering, and setting stone at the bench, with guidance at every step.
Southwestern Influence
A deep appreciation for Southwestern arts and jewelry-making traditions, drawn from years of travel and study.
Creative Problem-Solving
Design decisions and technical challenges worked through in real pieces — the same thinking students practice in class.
Contact
Connect With Jamie
Questions about workshops, teaching, or the work in the gallery — I welcome the conversation.
Jamie occasionally accepts select commissions.