HANDCRAFTED KNIVES. NATURAL STONE. AMERICAN ARTISTRY.
Discover Santa Fe Stoneworks collectible knives, now available at Robson’s Jewelers in Baytown.
Santa Fe Stoneworks transforms steel, gemstones, natural shell, exotic materials and ancient fossils into functional works of art. Each knife reflects the colors, textures and artistic traditions of the American Southwest. Visit Robson’s Jewelers to explore our current selection and experience the craftsmanship in person.
Where Fine Cutlery Meets Gemstone Art
Santa Fe Stoneworks is known for creating distinctive knives using natural stone, shell, exotic materials and carefully selected steel. Rather than mass producing identical handles, its craftspeople hand fit and finish the decorative materials used on each knife. The result is a collectible piece that combines the function of a quality knife with the individuality of natural gemstone and handcrafted art. Because natural stone, shell, wood and fossil materials vary in color and pattern, no two pieces will look exactly alike.
Natural materials create individual variations in every piece.
Crafted in Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe Stoneworks operates from a century old adobe ranch house in Santa Fe, New Mexico, which serves as both its gallery and production facility. The historic property reflects the company’s connection to Southwestern art, natural materials and traditional craftsmanship. Inside the workshop, craftspeople transform raw stone, shell and other distinctive materials into carefully fitted knife handles and collectible accessories. (Santa Fe Stoneworks)
HOW A SANTA FE STONEWORKS KNIFE IS MADE
SELECTING AND
CUTTING THE MATERIAL
Raw rock and shell are selected for their color, pattern and character. The material is then cut into the required shapes using diamond saws.
Santa Fe Stoneworks emphasizes that selecting a beautiful piece of stone is one of the most important parts of the process. (Santa Fe Stoneworks)
HAND FITTING AND ASSEMBLY
The stone or shell pieces are hand sanded and fitted together to create the handle design. The assembled panel is then fitted to the specific knife and attached using a proprietary adhesive.
According to the company, some of its craftspeople have worked in this process for more than 28 years. (Santa Fe Stoneworks)
HAND FITTING AND ASSEMBLY
The stone or shell pieces are hand sanded and fitted together to create the handle design. The assembled panel is then fitted to the specific knife and attached using a proprietary adhesive.
According to the company, some of its craftspeople have worked in this process for more than 28 years. (Santa Fe Stoneworks)
POLISHING AND QUALITY CONTROL
cracks or flaws. The handle is polished using large muslin wheels and jeweler’s rouge.
The finished knife is steam cleaned, inspected, lubricated and tested to confirm that it opens and closes properly. (Santa Fe Stoneworks)
THESE HANDLES ARE SHAPED AND FINISHED BY HAND, NOT PRODUCED AS IDENTICAL PIECES IN A LARGE FACTORY.
Santa Fe Stoneworks states that most standard handles are decorated on one side unless a product is specifically described as double sided.
MATERIALS WITH A STORY
TURQUOISE
Turquoise has been prized by cultures around the world for centuries and remains one of the stones most strongly associated with the American Southwest.
Santa Fe Stoneworks uses turquoise ranging from deep blue to pale green, with natural matrix patterns that make every handle visually different.
DINOSAUR BONE
Some Santa Fe Stoneworks designs incorporate approximately 150 million year old petrified dinosaur bone from Utah.
The color can vary between red, brown, black, white and yellow depending on the minerals surrounding the bone during fossilization.
FOSSILIZED MAMMOTH
Fossilized Woolly Mammoth Material
Santa Fe Stoneworks offers collections featuring fossilized woolly mammoth tusk, bone and tooth materials.
These pieces should be positioned as collectible natural history objects combined with functional cutlery.
Have the designer include a note that colors, patterns and availability vary.
MOTHER OF PEARL
Mother of pearl gives the handles a luminous, reflective appearance. Pearl handled knives have a long history among collectors and decorative cutlery enthusiasts.
LAPIS LAZULI
Lapis is known for its rich blue color and naturally occurring pyrite flecks. Santa Fe Stoneworks identifies its lapis material as originating from Afghanistan.
MALACHITE
Malachite is recognized by its distinctive green bands, swirls and circular patterns. Santa Fe Stoneworks identifies its malachite material as originating from the Congo.
JET
Jet provides a deep black appearance with a highly reflective polished surface. It works especially well as a contrasting accent against turquoise, pearl and other colorful materials.
CORAL
Coral adds warm red and orange color to many Southwestern inspired designs. Natural variations should be clearly visible in detailed product photography.
AZURITE
Azurite is a vivid blue copper mineral. The Santa Fe Stoneworks gallery itself features a large azurite boulder as part of its interior display.
DAMASCUS AND DAMASTEEL BLADES
Explain that some collections use patterned steel blades, including Damascus and Damasteel options.
HAFTING AND SHAPING
The handle is shaped to follow the contours of the knife. During this process, the decorative handle material and the knife body are finished together to create a unified form.
This shaping process is traditionally known as hafting. (Santa Fe Stoneworks)
NO TWO NATURAL PATTERNS ARE EXACTLY ALIKE
The colors, matrix, veining and patterning found in stone, wood, shell and fossil materials are created by nature. Even when two knives share the same model and material, the handles can display noticeable differences.
These natural variations are not defects. They are part of what makes each Santa Fe Stoneworks knife distinctive.
EXPLORE THE COLLECTION AT ROBSON’S JEWELERS
HAFTING AND SHAPING
The handle is shaped to follow the contours of the knife. During this process, the decorative handle material and the knife body are finished together to create a unified form.
This shaping process is traditionally known as hafting. (Santa Fe Stoneworks)