Alamogordo Running Indian Travel Center

Bowlin's Running Indian Store is located on US 70 4 miles north of Alamogordo, New Mexico. At the Running Indian Store, you can browse through the tremendous selection of merchandise offered at all our Bowlin store locations, including fireworks, Native American Handcrafted Jewelry, Mexican Imported Pottery, and many souvenir items.

After you visit our store, enjoy a tour of White Sands National Monument just 15 miles west of Alamogordo. You can also visit the New Mexico Museum of Space History or one of the many other wonderful attractions in this area of New Mexico. 

Spiny Oyster Shell

Deep purple Spiny Oyster Shell

Spiny Oyster Shell, also known as Spondylus Brodnip Princess, can be found in Baja, California and Mexico. The name Spondylus is a Latin word that means "spines on back." Brodnip was the name of the scientist who traveled with the explorer Cortez when they explored Baja, California. The name Princess was given to the shell when Cortez presented his marine discoveries to the King of Spain. The king's daughter loved the shell; thus, it was named after her.

This stone began to be exported for jewelry making in the Southwest in 1976 before Coral became available.  Spiny Oyster Shell comes in 3 main colors: red, orange, and purple. Sometimes you can also find it in white and yellow, but this is more rare.

Spiny Oyster Shell is said to carry the gentle, peaceful healing energy of the sea. It relaxes and soothes emotions, sensitivities, and stress.

Head to our online store at www.bowlinonline.com to view more pieces that feature Spiny Oyster Shell.

Dry Creek Turquoise

Dry Creek Turquoise, known by the Native Americans as "Sacred Buffalo Turquoise," is truly one of a kind! The Dry Creek turquoise mine is located on the Shoshone Indian Reservation near Battle Mountain, Nevada. Even though this turquoise was discovered in 1993, it wasn't until 1996 that it began to be used in jewelry. Most turquoise gets its color from the heavy metals in the ground where the stones form. However, Dry Creek Turquoise forms where there are no heavy metals present, which is a very rare occurrence. The lack of any color consistency makes this stone distinctive and unique from other forms of turquoise. As of yet, no other vein of Dry Creek Turquoise has been discovered anywhere else. When this current vein runs out, there will be no more. Any jewelry made with Dry Creek Turquoise is extremely rare, and as a result, can be fairly costly.

If you are interested in purchasing jewelry pieces made with Dry Creek Turquoise, head to our online store (www.bowlinonline.com) where we have a few items featured there. If you don't see what you are looking for online, simply click the "Contact Us" link to send us an email, and we will look in our 10 store locations to see if we can find you what you are looking for.

Handmade Inlay Jewelry

Step 1: Wax Molds

Step 2: Silver just out of the kiln

Step 3: Silversmith linking the silver                               

Step 4: Shaving and placing the stones in the silver moldings

Step 5: Polishing the piece

There is no other jewelry quite like Inlay.  First, the silver molds are created from wax moldings and melted silver.  After the silver has been hardened, it is linked by a silversmith.  Next, each stone is shaved down by hand to fit perfectly in the silver moldings.  Each color you see is a different stone, and these stones come from all over the world- Brazil, India, Afghanistan, China, and even right here in the United States.  Finally, the inlay piece is polished and is ready for you to wear!  Every inlay piece you will find in our store has been diligently and tirelessly handmade, using exact precision.  When you purchase one of these inlay pieces, know that no one else will have an inlay piece like yours, for no two are alike. Make sure to check the back...there you will find the initials of the Native American artist responsible for crafting your piece.
We do offer a 90-day warranty on all of our jewelry items.  Upon purchasing a piece of inlay, you will receive a certificate of authenticity with our warranty information attached. 

Handmade Inlay Jewelry

Our Inlay Jewelry is handmade by Native Americans in Northern New Mexico.  I have to say, there is no other jewelry quite like this!  You have to know how it is made to really appreciate each unique piece.

First, the silver molds are created from wax moldings.  Then, the artists melt the silver to pour on to these wax moldings. After the silver has been hardened, it is linked by a silversmith.  Next, each stone is shaved down by hand to fit perfectly in the silver moldings (as seen in the picture to the left).  Each color you see is a different stone, and these stones come from all over the world- Brazil, India, Afghanistan, China, and even right here in the United States.  Finally, the inlay piece is polished and is ready for you to wear!  Every inlay piece you will find in any of our stores has been diligently and tirelessly handmade, using exact precision.  When you purchase one of these inlay pieces, know that no one else will have an inlay piece like yours, for no two are alike.  Each piece truly is a work of art!

 To view our selection of Inlay Jewelry, visit us online at www.bowlinonline.com