Ray Tracey is internationally renowned and respected as one of the most recognized contemporary Native American jewelers.

Ray Tracey was born in Ganado, Arizona. A full-blooded Navajo, he made his first piece of jewelry when he was ten years old. By the age of 21 he was a professional jewelry artist.

Tracey is self-taught in the American Indian tradition. The skills are passed down from generation to generation. He has also taken classes at a prestigious jewelry school in Memphis, TN.

Tracey lives and works in Albuquerque, NM and employs five artists, all Navajo in his studio. His inspiration comes from many places, but he has designed a lot of jewelry on restaurant napkins and paper table coverings. He says he cannot sit down and force a design to come to him, but it will happen when he is golfing or playing with the kids, or eating—especially chocolate.

His designs start with a creative thought and then the talent and work come in to help expand on that inspiration. Tracey has had his share of ups and downs during his artistic career. But he continues to move on and create new work, never resting on his laurels.

The “Native Samurai” collection reflects Ray’s vision of the harmony of cultures: the richness of Native American heritage and the beauty of Japanese traditions. The symbols used in these exquisite pieces include motifs of the traditional Samurai costume and of the Southwest landscape.

“Designing jewelry is a gift. It’s a god given talent. The inspiration hits me. Without it, I can’t design my way out of a paper bag,” Tracey says.