Packard’s On the Plaza

Packard’s was the essence of a «tourist trap.» Overpriced Native American jewelry, with the owners charging 100% to 125% over that which was paid to the individual artist. Having gone to Santa Fe for 7 years in a row, for various medical conferences, I have seen the same pieces of jewelry (e.g., bolo ties) year after year! And when the ‘going out of business’ sale began, there were the same bolo ties, with the prices jacked up from what I had seen previously, then essentially marked down to what the price was before the so-​called «sale.» To buy good Indian jewelry, go to the artists gathered under the portal on the square. And now, it has been sold to yet another Arab concern — just what Santa Fe needs! Yeah,…right!

Packard’s is now under new ownership, and called Malouf’s
They got off to a little bit of a rocky start as far as their inventory and artists/​vendors but have increased their inventory and selection and added a clothing section. The service has been excellent.

After 75 years they are now closing their doors for good. They had a great selection and fantastic quality. It will be a huge loss to the Plaza. I believe they are scheduled to close in September, and are running some great deals until then.

I don’t own a lot of «fine» jewelry — Not because I don’t like it, mind you, often, I would rather have a week in Seaside than I would a new Rolex. And no matter how spoiled a gal can be, sometimes you have to make choices. But if I WERE a fine jewelry collector, this place would be my go to (first, and foremost, because I would have to GO TO Santa Fe to choose my goods!).
Packard’s has been around since the 20s. They are located in the heart of Santa Fe (the Plaza). And they are a must visit store. They carry some of the most beautiful native american jewelry I have ever laid eyes on. And they also carry lines like John Hardy, Ippolita, Somers, KC Designs, Emily Armenta, Donna Kellin, just to name a few. I fell in LOVE with Ippolita a few years ago, while I was searching for the perfect Rolex gift.
I found the watch. Getting it and making it a surprise was another task in and of itself. My salesperson was fabulous and worked with me to help make the surprise the hit of the 21^st century (to date). Their Customer Service is outstanding. Better than any jeweler that I know of — US-​wide. Their prices are just below competitive — making it a no-​brainer to have it shipped from NM. Their selection of different jewelry artisans is broad. Their selection of small fine art pieces is wonderful as well — I really like the idea that you can buy fetishes there. «OH? REALLY??» you say? tsk tsk!!! There are different kinds of fetishes — the ones I’m referring to here are religious and mythical symbols. No really — look it up … «on the internet».
I LOVE Packard’s — and even if I’m not shopping I drop in to visit my friends (but there’s always something I want to walk out with — Let’s just hope it’s not always a Rolex!)

I grew up in New Mexico and always was intrigued by the native arts — so much so that I chose Anthropology (with a focus on the Southwest) as my major in college. I have been a collector of fine Indian jewelry, pottery, carvings, and weavings for almost 40 years. My home is filled with these treasures and many of them came from Packard’s.
There really are only a hand full of places in the Southwest where you can be assured that you are buying «the real thing». Packard’s only carries the very finest, authentic American Indian arts and crafts. Much of it is ruinously expensive though, so be warned this is not a place where you shop for vacation tchotchkes. The place is really like a museum of traditional and contemporary artists’ creations.
If you appreciate the fine arts of the Southwest this place is a must visit even if you can’t really afford to do much actual shopping. It is a place to appreciate beautiful pieces from the past and marvel in the creativity of new generations of artisans.
Beautiful indeed.
UPDATE — Summer 2013. Sad to say that Packard’s is closing for good in the next few months. Going out of business sale in progress currently according to their website — might be worth checking out because they do have beautiful things.

Packard’s is my favorite store in Santa Fe. It truly is a feast for the eyes, they have so many wonderful things, all of them the highest quality: Navajo weavings, Zuni fetishes, Native American silver jewelry in traditional and modern styles, kachinas by master Hopi carvers, pottery from many southwestern tribes, and more, all of it handmade with loving care and displayed beautifully.
The prices reflect the quality of the items sold and are moderate to high end (for example, I looked at an exquisite kachina that was selling for several thousand dollars more than my car cost), but there is something for every price range and you can be assured that you will get the very best for your money here. The staff is friendly and highly knowlegeable and can answer any questions you might have, right down to which plants were used to make the different vegetal dyes for the woolen weavings, or exactly which mine the turquoise in a particular ring comes from.
This would be a good place for older children (those who understand and follow the concept of «look but don’t touch»!!!) to come and learn a bit about the Native cultures of the area and the meanings behind and purposes of the items for sale here. A beautiful store!

If you are looking for authentic Southwestern art & jewelry while you are visiting in Santa Fe, Packard’s on the Plaza is your destination.
Packard’s has been providing the finest traditional turquoise & silver jewelry, weavings & pottery, paintings and contemporary jewelry from the country’s première American Indian artists since 1920.
For almost 100 years they have been serving visitors from around the world.
Located on the East side of the Plaza, Packard’s has long been a tradition for both local families and for special visitors who have come to Santa Fe just to buy a unique silver & turquoise squash blossom necklace or a silver concho belt from Packard’s.
Everything they sell is authentic and guaranteed to last generations!
Everything they sell is beautiful!
Visit the website at
and click on the featured artists to see some of the beautiful items they carry.
Hopefully you will get to take some of it home with you. I am lucky enough to share my life with (you don’t own history, you share it) a beautiful concho belt from Packard’s that my parents gave me many years ago.
WALKING THROUGH THESE DOORS IS LIKE WALKING INTO HISTORY! YOU CAN FEEL IT!