Salt Grass Jewelry is a reminder of our devotion to nature. Our purpose is to create timeless jewelry that feels both modern and of the earth.
Founded in 2016 by metal artist Kristi Frank Montaño, Salt Grass Jewelry is a celebration of sculptural abstraction, storytelling, and craftsmanship. Before launching her brand, Kristi honed her skills by producing jewelry for notable designers in New York City and Maine. Born and raised in Northern New Mexico, her work is often distinguished by symbolic shapes and textures inspired by the high desert. She is known for her intuitive connection with gems and minerals and for creating distinctive one-of-a-kind bridal pieces.
The name Salt Grass comes from Distichlis spicata, a species of grass also known as desert saltgrass. Desert saltgrass can be found throughout the Americas, and locally it thrives along the clay riverbanks of the Rio Grande.
SLOW-MADE PRACTICES
Salt Grass jewelry embraces a slow-made ethos, prioritizing quality, craftsmanship, and attention to detail over the unethical production of fast fashion and cookie-cutter designs that flood the industry. We thoughtfully crate with a commitment to sustainability. Each Salt Grass piece can be handed down for generations with minimal waste and minimal carbon footprint.
HONORING INDIGENOUS LANDS
Creating on stolen Tewa land in Oga’Pogeh Owingeh, meaning 'white shell water place,' also known as Santa Fe. The Tewa people are a group of Pueblo tribes who have historically lived along the Rio Grande. Before them, the ancient Puebloans stewarded this land. We recognize the ongoing fight for Indigenous sovereignty and commit to reparative action, striving to be good ancestors in all that we do.
