Nestled in the mountains of Durango, Colorado, Aldrich Art Studio is a family legacy three generations in the making. For over 45 years, Benny and Valerie Aldrich and their family have been creating handcrafted sterling silver jewelry that captures the vibrant beauty of the Southwest. Each piece is a celebration of craftsmanship, color, and connection—designed to become a treasured heirloom for generations to come.

A Legacy of Craftsmanship and Color

The story of Aldrich Art Jewelry began in the 1970s, when Benny and Valerie met while studying at Northern Arizona University. What started as a creative hobby—making handmade jewelry for Christmas gifts—soon grew into a lifelong passion. With limited resources but limitless creativity, they began crafting pieces from local Arizona materials and selling stone beads to Santo Domingo Pueblo artisans. Inspired by these early experiences, the couple started experimenting with gemstone inlay, using vivid natural materials to bring new life to traditional Southwestern designs.

Over time, their work evolved into the intricate art form known as intarsia inlay—a precise, hand-set technique that combines multiple stones into complex, colorful mosaic patterns. Today, Aldrich Art Studio continues to perfect this method, creating jewelry that blends old-world artistry with contemporary design.

Handcrafted Sterling Silver Jewelry

Every Aldrich Art piece is handcrafted in .925 sterling silver, a high-quality alloy made of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals for durability and luster. This ensures each necklace, ring, bracelet, and pair of earrings is both beautiful and made to last. Their designs often feature 14k gold accents and intricate hand-stamped details, highlighting the skill and artistry behind each creation.

The studio’s signature look combines precious and semi-precious gemstones, organic materials, and hand-inlaid stones that form dazzling patterns reminiscent of butterflies, hummingbirds, and desert landscapes. Commonly featured stones include turquoise, opal, sugilite, coral, and spiny oyster shell—all carefully selected for their color, quality, and natural beauty.

The Family Behind the Art

Aldrich Art remains a true family business. Benny and Valerie’s son, Luke, carries on the tradition as a skilled gold and silversmith. Their grandson, Diego, is now part of the next generation—an accomplished lapidary artist continuing the family’s legacy of handcrafted excellence. With the support of dedicated artisans and inlay specialists, the Aldrich family continues to create jewelry that blends craftsmanship, innovation, and heart.

Each piece is more than an accessory—it’s a reflection of the Aldrich family’s shared dedication to harmony, balance, and artistry.

Made in Durango, Available Nationwide

While Aldrich Art Studio is proudly based in Durango, Colorado, their jewelry reaches collectors and admirers across the country. Every item is designed and handcrafted in their mountain studio, then made available nationwide through their online shop. Customers can enjoy free shipping on all orders, ensuring that these handcrafted works of art can be appreciated wherever you are.

A Tradition of Beauty and Meaning

From the first shell inlays made in the 1970s to today’s vibrant, museum-quality designs, Aldrich Art has remained true to its purpose: to transform natural materials from the earth and sea into wearable works of art. Each piece tells a story of family, tradition, and the timeless beauty of the Southwest.

Whether you’re drawn to turquoise for its heritage, opal for its iridescence, or the intricate craftsmanship of intarsia inlay, Aldrich Art offers something truly special—a connection between artist and wearer, nature and craft, past and present.

Explore the collection at www.aldrichartstudio.com and discover the artistry that makes Aldrich Art one of Durango’s finest handcrafted jewelry studios.