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June 2023 by Matthew C.
I was helped by Jammy and she gave me expert advice and great recommendations! She knows her stuff and I felt so welcomed by her. Got this beautiful indigenous-made necklace, and it's going to be a permanent part of my jewelry rotation. Thank you Miss Jammy :^D
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June 2023 by Carlene S.
Man helping us was very racist and discriminatory. Do not recommend this business at all.
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January 2023 by 311renatat
Not only did I get the most stunning diamond bracelet, but the service is this place is amazing. Me and my mom left with the biggest smiles we could ever get. We both got our diamond pieces, answers to all our questions and quite a few laughs. Thank you for the most amazing service, you really made the experience completely unique. Recommend 100% !!!!
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November 2022 by Carl C.
When I first arrived in Sante Fe, I found myself in this amazing store - many years ago, I purchased a men's turquoise cuff in the plaza nearby. After a few years, funds were low, and I needed to sell the cuff in order to make ends meet. As I searched the store, I was hoping I might find something like the piece I had once owned and loved. My time was short, so I told Rose and the nice other woman who was helping me I'd be back in a day or so. When I returned, I had hoped to find something that was like what I had had so many years prior. To my amazement, I ended up find two cuffs....and really liked both of them. Instead of having to choose, they made me a wonderful offer and I was able to purchase both. As an employee of the US government and Holy See in Rome, I am very excited for the next round of meetings I have in Vatican City - it is my intent to have His Holiness bless both of these two items for me. Thank you all very much and I look forward to doing business with you all again.
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November 2022 by carlcF5740WT
When I first arrived in Sante Fe, I found myself in this amazing store - many years ago, I purchase a men's turquoise cuff in the plaza nearby. After a few years, funds were low, and I needed to sell the cuff in order to make ends meet. As I searched the store, I was hoping I might find something like the piece I had once owned and loved. My time was short, so I told Rose and the nice other woman who was helping me I'd be back in a day or so. When I returned, I had hoped to find something that was like what I had had so many years prior. To my amazement, I ended up find two cuffs....and really liked both of them. Instead of having to choose, they made me a wonderful offer and I was able to purchase both. As an employee of the US government and Holy See in Rome, I am very excited for the next round of meetings I have in Vatican City - it is my intent to have His Holiness bless both of these two items for me. Thank you all very much and I look forward to doing business with you all again.
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October 2022 by Betsy W.
While in Santa Fe, my husband and I were meandering about the plaza after brunch. We came into this beautiful store. My husband came in before me and had chatted with Linda, one of the sales people. When I came in and began looking in the jewelry cases, she came up to me, and in my talking she realized that I was his wife. She was very lovely and telling me about things that were in the case; the different stones, the different styles, different tribes' art, etc. I let her know that I had, 1960's era Ntive pieces of my mother's. As we walked thru the store, she pulled out a beautiful necklace; silver, hand-made graduated sized beads . She encouraged me to put it on, I fell in love! Later, in the afternoon, I brought in my mother's jewelry and showed the pieces to Ash, who is the owner. He was very knowledgeable and gracious with his time. He gave me his best idea about the origination of the pieces; who made them what tribe, or that they came from Mexico, or other countries! Unfortunately, for me, none of the pieces were what he felt that he could re-sell. But, he took the time to give me as much information as I wanted, complementing me on the pieces, and encouraging me to wear them! He bagged up each individual piece and even put new 'fish-hook' on a pair of earrings. He said, these are nice pieces, "Don't sell them, wear them!" And, even though we couldn't afford the necklace I had fallen in love with. he worked with us to give us the best price! Linda, the first sales person I met, and Ash, the owner were very helpful, no pressure, but good encouragement, and explanations I recommend this place to anyone looking for quality, native jewelry. Very nice store and personnel!
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October 2022 by Amy R.
This was one of the most pleasant and delightful shopping experiences I've had. First, the staff is very knowledgeable about their inventory; second, the staff actually listens to what is desired by the customer. Santana worked with us two days in a row. There was zero pressure and her suggestions were spot on. What we decided on wasn't the most expensive, yet her appreciation of the sale might tell you otherwise. Yesterday we left only with a beautiful pendant. We came back today and added another necklace that was a magnificent vintage (1940s) piece, some Zuni earrings, a Navajo headdress, and a transformer sculpture. Ash, an over-the-top helpful manager/owner(?) made us super happy when he gave us a price break and also wrapped everything up, ready for travel. I am a very satisfied customer, especially with the no-pressure approach to sales. I will return to this shop with each trip back here.
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October 2022 by E5648YRamyr
This was one of the most pleasant and delightful shopping experiences I’ve had. First, the staff is very knowledgeable about their inventory; second, the staff actually listens to what is desired by the customer. Santana worked with us two days in a row. There was zero pressure and her suggestions were spot on. What we decided on wasn’t the most expensive, yet her appreciation of the sale might tell you otherwise. Yesterday we left only with a beautiful pendant. We came back today and added another necklace that was a magnificent vintage (1940s) piece, some Zuni earrings, a Navajo headdress, and a transformer sculpture. Ash, an over-the-top helpful manager/owner(?) made us super happy when he gave us a price break and also wrapped everything up, ready for travel. I am a very satisfied customer, especially with the no-pressure approach to sales. I will return to this shop with each trip back here.
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December 2021 by Ben K.
DONT SHOP AT WIND RIVER TRADING COMPANY!!!my 13yr old son saved up his money to buy my girlfriend a special Christmas present. She likes native jewelry, we waited until the last minute unfortunately on Christmas Eve and the Native people who sell their jewelry at the Palace of the Governors were gone for the day. We walked around the plaza and found only a few jewelry stores open. I had never been in WRTC and thought it might be the only chance we'd have to get her something before the holiday. This was my takeaway: There is a no return policy written on the receipt however the saleswoman definitely said to me if I didn't like the bracelet I purchased I could bring it back. No mention of the no return policy before I read it on the receipt. Also the prices being absolutely inflated as marked, then the whole "I can give you my employee discount" or "we're having a 50% sale" BS shows that the whole premise of the store is to play a game that's dishonest. Deceive the customer into believing they are getting a discount off of normal pricing when they are not. Just because a store has been in a location for 40 yrs or whatever(the new owner btw has NOT owned the store for NEARLY that long) doesn't mean that it's honest, there are many poor reviews on Yelp and other review platforms that are much more revealing then just saying "hey, we've been here over 40 yrs"( which is also a twisting of the truth meant to instill trust in order to make the sale and essentially take advantage of the customer). The saleswoman said the bracelet I bought was "vintage, probably from the 50's", then as I was being rung up, the owner, who asked me all sorts of personal questions trying to find an angle to distract away from analyzing the bracelet more and only repeated "I love that stone. Isn't it a lovely stone" , said he thought it was from the 70's then later the 50's again. The whole operation is meant to take advantage of people who don't know the market, that's why the no return policy, that's why they don't mention the no return policy. They want to make that sale and when the customer realizes they've been duped and tries to bring it back they have no recourse. I've read all the negative reviews(there are many) and the owner, who responds to almost all of them, never addresses this point. He only defends his sleazy sales techniques with BS statements like how he respects his customers and the artists blah blah. If you respect your customers, give them a 30 day return policy, how about a 7 day return policy??? You will do anything for the sale except be honest, forthcoming and trustworthy. I am a Santa Fe local and I shop for jewelry often in Santa Fe. Usually directly from the native artists in the Palace of The Governors(which if you have read this is where you should shop for native jewelry in Santa Fe) and I have learned my lesson. NEVER SHOP FROM WIND RIVER TRADING COMPANY. They will deceive you, rip you off, take advantage of you and then essentially walk away. No responsibility or culpability. I hope whoever reads this trusts that I have no vested interest in my review, it only serves as an honest appraisal of my experience at WRTC. If I had had an honest, good experience I would have been happy and either left no review( which is typically what I would do) or even left a positive review. But the review I left was in my opinion a very honest and fair one. DONT SHOP AT WIND RIVER TRADING COMPANY!!
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October 2021 by Mike Moreau
Great Native jewelry at great prices and fantastic people to work with
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July 2020 by Virginia L.
The staff were friendly and helpful. They were all wearing masks. The prices were marked high, so that you felt good about getting items half price. It was all part of the shopping experience. We got an extra discount so we got a good deal. The jewelry was beautiful, the people were fun, and I recommend this place if you are looking for beautiful Native American jewelry.
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January 2020 by John D.
This place is huge compared to the other shops within walking distance of the town square. There is plenty of southwest jewelry, gold or silver and turquoise rings, necklaces, and bracelets from stylish to gaudy. There is a good amount of jewelry made with local gems that draws your attention. Plus there's a large selection of clothing, knives, home furnishings and Native American pottery. There's something for everyone. Wind River has been around for over 40 years, plenty of time to become well established. I'm sure there was a time when it wasn't a tourist trap. But all indications are that it is now. Prices are high, but the sales help offer 50-75% off stickers. Ok - well if that's the case why not just price things reasonably? It's gimmicky, but with inflated prices you're not getting a deal, you're still paying above retail. Look around - stop by the Governor's mansion, look at the work by Native American craftsman. You might be surprised.
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October 2019 by Jay S.
Some beautiful things. Above my price range for travel momentos. The sales people were polite and even offered to cut the prices of the jewelry in half -which made me suspicious of why they didn't just mark the jewelry with the correct price to start with. Why put a price tag on jewelry that is twice as much as the actual price ?
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September 2019 by Richard K.
I am a Turquoise Silver and all things Southwest kind of guy. For years my friends and others said if you haven't been to Santa Fe you got to go, it will blow your mind. My wife and I finally took everyone's advise and we loved the whole experience. There we so many shops with prices that were way beyond me and others that made me feel like I was being hustled to make a purchase. One day I entered Wind River Trading and met Norm one of the owners. Norm was very easy to deal with and was so knowledgeable that I really felt comfortable in his store. All his employees were easy and accommodating. I found out talking to him that his Dad started the business over 40 years ago while living with the local tribes men. He told me he and his brother Norm grew up in the business and continued close relationships with all the artisans he grew up with. I can only tell you I spent all my shopping budget at Wind River Trading and I know I paid fair prices for all I bought and can't say enough nice about these Two Men. When you go to Santa Fe you owe it to yourself to let Ray Norm and their staff to show you the way to get the best value for your money.
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August 2019 by Paul F.
Ray, the owner sold me micro inlay watch tips for $450 and claimed they are made by Clayton Tom. He had worked me over with impressive slickness asking where I got my sandals and discussing men's websites. Well one watch tip had the sticker on the inside and when I removed it had a different hallmark than the one on the other tip. Ray was so smooth that I did not look on the web to see how Clayton Tom's mark appears. The artist stamps it and these watch tips had the name rendered with an engraving pen, followed by SR. The micro inlay work is similar to the real deal, but now I realize that Wind River sold me a fake, and Ray knew it as demonstrated by the sticker. Of course, the receipt says all sales are final, which was never disclosed. Check out the photos. If you are reading this, by now you too have realized that fakery is real at Wind River. In reply to Norm to my review, I've done a lot of research this week on the artist Clayton Tom and the other artists who produce the "starry night over the Pueblo" theme. If this item was produced by the master of inlay, Clayton Tom, rather than a video, send me a signed certificate of authenticity from the artist, and I will verify it with him. You have my contact information from the credit card. The other hallmark on the watch tips is TSF, which research proves to be Touch of Santa Fe, located in Albuquerque and started in 1993. Touch of Santa Fe is described as a collective of anonymous artists. That TSF hallmark was another anomaly that clouds the origin of the piece. There is no evidence from other new Clayton Tom pieces for sale on the web that he is using an engraving pen and signing Sr to his name. I will await the certificate.
