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| Message from Guy |
 “See the sunlight through the pines,
Taste the warm of winter wine.
Dream of softly falling snow…
As the winter days unfold,
Hearts grow warmer with the cold.
Peace of mind is all we know…”
This excerpt from my all-time favorite holiday song by John Denver helps me focus on many of the simple things that are most important, not only at this special time of year, but all year long. May these words help you to find that special holiday magic.
I realize that at this point in the holiday season we have all been inundated with mail, e-mail, advertising and all the other marketing messages known to man…all you need is one more!
With that said, I’ll keep this short and simple. All of us at Palms Trading Company wish you the best holiday season you’ve ever had and hope your New Year is healthy and prosperous.
Happy Holidays!
Guy Berger
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Silver Prices Continue to Skyrocket as Demand and Speculation Increase
 Supply and demand just got a lot more complicated…and a lot more expensive. Two years ago, in 2008, silver prices remained steady at around $9 per ounce and rose only slightly throughout 2009 into the mid-teens. Now, at the end of 2010, silver prices have increased exponentially, hovering right around $30 an ounce. What, in the past couple of years, has changed so much that silver prices have risen so high? Here’s some food for thought:
*Did you know…?
- Unlike gold, silver is consumable (actually used up) in most industrial uses
- In 1942, the U.S. Government had over 3 billion ounces of silver. Those stores ran out completely several years ago.
- Over 90% of all the silver mined in the past 5,000 years has been used up and is gone forever.
- Right now, there is more than five times as much gold in the known world supply compared to the world supply of silver.
- Current world silver demand is around 900 million ounces per year, but the average worldwide production of silver is only 480 million ounces. In other words, we are only producing just over half the silver we use every year.
- Gold has been steadily increasing, but silver has yet to follow. The gold/silver price ratio (currently 51:1) has skewed far from its historical norm (20:1).
- World demand is growing, but the U.S. Geological Survey says there is only about 14 to 25 years worth of silver left in the ground.
*Taken from BigNews.Biz article titled “NEWSFLASH: Silver Prices Skyrocket Past Gold”
In addition to industrial demand far outweighing silver supply, speculation on the value of the dollar and the pace of the still lagging economy continue to increase the value of both silver and gold. Comparatively speaking, even at $30 an ounce, silver is a far less expensive option than its gold alternative. Still, this substantial rise into the $30 range affects jewelry prices in a big way…but not as much as you’d think. Silver jewelry prices have increased about 10% even though spot silver prices have risen 30%, making the intrinsic value of the jewelry higher than what you’re actually paying. While there is speculation that silver prices could rise well above their current value, we feel that at the existing prices, Native American silver jewelry provides a smart and cost-effective investment option.
Guy Berger: Owner of Palms Trading, Loving Father
 By: Diana Strickland
Over the years we have introduced you to a great number of Palms Trading employees, some of whom have remained with us and others who have left to pursue other endeavors. One person we have not yet introduced to you, but whom many of you may already know, is our owner and my father, Guy Berger.
As Guy’s daughter, I am well aware that my father knows numerous people and am sure many of you have met or are friends with him. However, my intention here is not to expand upon what most people already know about my dad. Rather, I’d like to introduce you to the Guy Berger my mother, brother and I know and love: the devoted husband and father who has worked hard to provide for the well being of his wife and children as well as allow our family business to succeed and endure.
Some of the earliest memories I have of my dad revolve around him and a basketball court. A photo hangs in my parents’ stairwell of dad, standing 6’ 5" tall and me, maybe 2 years old, handing him a basketball as big as my head. For as long as I can remember, dad has been a committed and enthusiastic basketball coach who not only has a firm grasp on the game, but is well respected by parents, fellow coaches, and students alike. All of his years coaching must have rubbed off on both my brother and I; I am now the head volleyball coach at St. Pius X High School in Albuquerque and my brother, Dad’s assistant JV basketball coach at the same school.
One thing about my dad many people may not know is that he is a big believer in knowing who you are through where you came from. Much of this, I assume, stems from the fact that Palms has been family owned and operated since the early 1900’s. Pictures hang around the store of our family’s relatives, many of whom founded the store and others who aided in its success. In the year 2001, my grandfather (Dad’s dad) recorded audio tapes of his childhood memories growing up on a ranch in the Zuni Mountains of New Mexico, and after he passed away in December of 2005, Dad had those tapes transferred to discs, giving them as gifts to each of Papa’s immediate relatives. One of the stories from those tapes that stands out in my mind is of a party held at that ranch in the late 1800s, during which a tin Falstaff sign was punctured with two bullet holes. That Falstaff sign hangs in our store to this day, bridging our past to our present. Those discs, and the memories shared within, are some of my most treasured belongings, not only because they contain my grandfather’s voice, but because they remind me of what has been sacrificed so that we are able to live the lives we do today; a belief and recognition Dad has instilled in us.
A more well-known aspect of my dad’s life is, of course, his golf game. On any given night after work and basketball, dad can most likely be found sitting at home watching the Golf Channel while eating his dinner. While these colder months and basketball season may take him away from the game more than I’m sure he would like, spring and summer bring with them the opportunity to practice and play more often, allowing him to live up to his impressive handicap. In addition to a consistent golf game, over the years, dad has also accumulated 3 holes in one.
One of the most recent memories of my Dad I will always hold very dear is that of my wedding day. On June 27, 2009, Dad walked me down the aisle and gave me away to be married (joking the entire day that he was finally rid of me). Later that evening, he and I waltzed to the theme song of The Godfather, which many of you may know is Dad’s all-time favorite movie. I consider myself very lucky to have had Dad with me there that day and will remember it for the rest of my life.
While it's difficult to put into words the hard work and long hours dad has dedicated to growing this business and ensuring the well being of our family, I can say that where I am and who I am today are due in large part to his drive and determination. Both my brother and I received excellent educations and were able to earn degrees at St. Mary’s College (Moraga, CA) and Gonzaga University (Spokane, WA) respectively, because of Dad’s time and effort spent to make our lives better and the sacrifices made by both he and our mom. It is with deep admiration, love and gratitude that I look back on all my father has done and continues to do for both his immediate family and the Palms family. I know I speak for everyone here at Palms, and especially for my brother, mother and I, when I say we are lucky he is part of our lives.
Artist Spotlight: Peterson Johnson
 Navajo silversmith Peterson Johnson is most well known for the delicate and intricate leaf and flower sterling silverwork that adorns each of his beautiful pieces of jewelry. Born October 2, 1956 to Wilson and Alice Johnson, Peterson is a self-taught silversmith, making his work all the more impressive. Creating since 1976 and using various stones not limited to turquoise, he has won many awards at various shows all over the Southwest. Surprisingly, for as well-known as Peterson is, very little information can be found in books or on the internet. Still, we were able to get a small bit of information from him when we asked what he enjoys most about his work. His response? “I like my work start to finish, but I especially like designing each piece.” Truly, the complexity and careful attention to detail his pieces illustrate prove that Peterson is a master at his craft.
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| Recent Developments |
Guy Berger’s new book, Mata Ortiz Pottery Today, can now be purchased at numerous locations, including www.palmstrading.com and amazon.com. This beautiful coffee table edition contains numerous stories and many pictures of this ever evolving, stunning art work.
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| Did You Know...? |
During the nineteenth century, Navajo blankets were important status symbols, not only among Navajos but among other Native Americans, most notably the Plains Indians. The first collectors were other Indian tribes.
(Taken from The Navajo Weaving Tradition: 1650 to the Present)
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With the Christmas holiday right around the corner, surprise your loved ones with unique, handcrafted gifts from www.palmstrading.com. Men and women alike enjoy gorgeous sterling silver jewelry with stones of the Southwest in the form of bracelets, earrings, bolo ties, belt buckles and more. Collectors and novices will enjoy that perfect handmade piece of pottery, as will the hosts of the many holiday parties you’ll attend; pottery accents any home beautifully. Clay storytellers made in various forms are always a hit with grandparents, and fetishes representing many meanings are perfect for anyone special in your life. Overnight shipping is still available for those last minute gifts-visit our site today!
