Desert Son: Tucson’s Treasure Trove

Steve Osborne’s shop is the place to go for quality, one-of-a-kind, Southwest jewelry, pottery, rugs, moccasins, and more

In a time when everything from jewelry to groceries can be purchased with the click of a button, it can be hard to feel motivated to leave the house to shop. But if you’re looking for some retail therapy, or some real quality, look no further than Desert Son. The shop and gallery on Sunrise and Swan is as fun to browse as it is to buy. 

What started as an effort to supply traditional southwest moccasins to Reservation Trading Posts and Pueblos has transformed over the years into something much more. While Desert Son still makes and sells seven different styles of custom moccasins, their shop and gallery offer arts, crafts, and goods of exceptional quality and variety. 

Steve Osborne started his work more than 45 years ago. His decades spent cultivating relationships with traders and artists have resulted in a one-of-a-kind inventory, and his dedication to quality ensures that anything purchased from Desert Son will have lasting value. 

In addition to housing the largest collection of silver buckles in the Southwest, Desert Son has a vast collection of beautiful jewelry, turquoise and otherwise. But the collection doesn’t stop at silver and stones. Hopi Kachina Dolls, Zuni Fetishes, and Navajo rugs, baskets, and pottery are all on display. 

Desert Son has an abundance of wonderful treasures in its shop and gallery, and connoisseurs in search of a particular artist or product can draw upon Steve’s wealth of knowledge and connections to find what they’re looking for. If it isn’t in the shop already, there’s a good chance that he knows just who to call to find it. That’s a personal touch you just can’t find online, or at very many brick-and-mortars, for that matter.

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