About Durango Silver Company

Durango Silver Company was established in 2000 by Dillon, John & Estell Hartman and was previously Hartman's of Durango. This new venture is a vision of Dillon's. Dillon Hartman is the son of John & Estell Hartman trained in the jewelry business and design by John. Together John & Dillon had been in the internet advertising business promoting Southwestern America. We decided clear it was not the business for us, we closed that business and re-opened our retail gallery in Durango, Colorado and begain Dillon's training in jewelry fabrication. Dillon has helped with the design, finishing and odd jobs on jewelry manufacturing since he was a small kid, but had never fabricated a piece entirely on his own, nore had he cut a cabochon until 2000. John & Estell however, have been in the Jewelry Business since 1965.

John and Estell Hartman, grew up in the southwest. They had been influenced their entire lives by the old west atmosphere that they lived in. John, started collecting Winchesters, Colts and Plains Indian Beadwork at the age of 12. Every Saturday morning at 5:AM he used to go to one of the first gun swaps in the nation. He used the money from my paper route to buy western collectibles. In growing up, one of his good friends was a native American, when they got out of high school, Steve and John rented a house together. Steve introduced Estell and John to Navajo Silver and they have admired it since.

After Estell and John got married, we decided to learn how to make silver jewelry and began teaching thenselves. They were very fortunate that several people helped them in learning the trade. They have been blessed in the jewelry business since. They started making our their jewelry as well as buying jewelry for the Navajo, Hopi and Zuni Indians - they would then travel in the western U.S. to sell it at a profit. They did this for several years before they decided to settle down and build their own Trading Post.

In 1975, they purchased the property just west of Durango Colorado on the Hwy leading towards Mesa Verde National Park. John, and a friend built a large log, lodge type building, which was soon to become our Trading Post. They opened in 1976 dealing in antique firearms, antique Indian items, western memorabilia and jewelry. They have had a brisk business here in Durango since.

If you come to Durango, make certain you plan on visiting our Trading Company, it has become one of the most historic trading companies in the Four Corners region. Heading west from Durango towards Mesa Verde National Park, travel about four miles until you see a large log lodge building with a huge arch of deer antlers out front. This arch consists of over 3,600 deer and elk shed antlers from this area. It is an awesome site and you will want to take your pictures here.

Durango Silver Company is known worldwide for its southwestern style silver jewelry. You will find very unusual jewelry here that you will not find anywhere else. We have been makers of fine gold and silver jewelry for over 40 years now. We are known for our custom gold jewelry in which we use gold nuggets, elk teeth, high grade gold ore and fine stones. We use beautiful Bisbee Blue, Blue Gem, Villa Grove, and other rare American Turquoise in our jewelry. We are authorities and major enthusiasts of fine turquoise.

We have been in the Native American art, crafts and memorabilia business for over 40 years. You will find early American Frontier items such as Plains Indian beadwork, stone artifacts, Navajo rugs, baskets, old pawn jewelry, new American Indian jewelry, antique firearms, silver spurs and more!

Make certain you do not miss Durango Silver Company - It will be one of the highlights of your trip!

Open Monday - Saturday 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM - May thru December and January thru April by appointment or chance.

Please visit our ProStores Website at: www.durangosilver.net