Legislature OKs money to combat fake jewelry

By Bill Donovan
Staff Writer

GALLUP — The New Mexico State Legislature is looking at clearing up the problem of fakes in the Indian arts and crafts business.

State Rep. Patty Lundstrom, in a press conference held this morning, said the legislature approved a resolution she sponsored that provides $70,000 to the state regulation and licensing department to start the process for the creation of a state "certification mark" that will be placed on jewelry made by Native American Indians in the state.

"This will protect both Native American craftspersons and jewelry businesses from foreign and counterfeit imports that threaten to undermine the integrity of this important part of our local and state economy," she said.

What the funds will do is create a state board that will plan and recommend the certification mark and how it will be implemented.

She said she realized Gallup had a major problem in this area when she went to the Indian Plaza in Santa Fe recently and was looking at the jewelry. When asked by one of the vendors if she wanted to buy something, she explained she was from Gallup and could buy anything there.

But the vendor told her, "You can't get the real stuff there."

Others have also been saying that Gallup is getting the reputation of becoming the capital not for authentic Indian goods but fakes that are imported from foreign counties where the labor is cheaper.

"I think this is hurting Gallup's image," Lundstrom said.

Jeff Kiely, who works for the Northwest New Mexico Council of Governments, said the state will look at a system of creating a stamp that can be used by craftspeople to stamp on their product to signify to buyers that it is authentic.

The system will be strictly regulated, he said, so that its integrity is maintained and only Native Americans will be able to use the hallmark.