An Arizona family is seeking help after $175,000 worth of handcrafted Native American jewelry was stolen during their trip to California. Amiya Kaminski and her grandparents, Maryetta and Henry Jackson, had traveled from Flagstaff to San Jose to attend the Stanford University Powwow.
The jewelry was secured in a trailer parked in a well-lit hotel lot. After a long drive and a dinner nearby, the family went to bed, only to discover the next morning that their trailer had been broken into and everything was gone. The San Jose Police Department confirmed that they are investigating the burglary, and the case remains ongoing.
Kaminski, in a GoFundMe campaign set up to help the family, estimated the jewelry’s value between $175,000 and $300,000. However, the loss goes far beyond its financial worth. Kaminski explained that every piece was created by her family, passed down through generations of craftsmanship.
Her grandparents began their jewelry business in 1972, using sterling silver, 14k and 18k gold, copper, and over 45 types of natural stones. Kaminski emphasized that the theft wasn’t just a financial blow but a loss of her family’s heritage and way of life.
“This loss is not just financial—it’s deeply personal,” she wrote on the GoFundMe page. “Without their inventory, they have nothing to sell, no way to recoup their costs, and no means to continue the business in the short term.”
The family is asking for donations as they await updates from law enforcement and their insurance company. They also urge the public to report any sightings of the stolen jewelry to the San Jose Police. Specific identifiers to watch for include:
- Diné (tribal affiliation)
- Sterling (metal identifier)
- A family hallmark: a conjoined HJ, with the “J” attached to the right side of the “H”
In addition, the family is offering a reward for information that leads to the recovery of the stolen items or an arrest.
“Maryetta and Henry are among the kindest, most generous people,” the GoFundMe page reads. “They’ve dedicated their lives to uplifting others, preserving Native traditions, and building something meaningful. Now, we’re asking for your support in return.”
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