Born in Stuttgart, Germany, Gertrude moved to New Mexico in 1969 from Michigan, where she lived from the second grade to her college years. Five years after her arrival in New Mexico, she started her jewelry industry.

Inspired by Native American and Southwest designs, Gertrude offers a line that reflects her own ingenuity, using various semi-precious gems and stones. According to Gertrude, the more a piece shines, the better.

Twelve employees help bring her imagination to life, some of whom also contribute design ideas. These silversmiths are from various Native American tribes, plus a lady from New York City, who helps produce her non-native line. Gertrude attributes her great success to the teamwork established with these artisans—success that includes being named one of the Top 25 women-owned businesses in New Mexico by New Mexico WOMAN two different years.

Along with her success, Gertrude also has established great independence. She oversees all the work going on in her business, includes herself in the jewelry design process, and hand selects the antiques that appear in her stores. Her independence in branding and design has brought her renown that extends outside Albuquerque to Santa Fe, the Southwest, and beyond.

Gertrude was the only female jewelry manufacturer when she started out in the 1970s, and admits there was some skepticism about her entering the business, considering she had no jewelry or design background. But her people skills with customers—along with a unique product line— helped carry her industry well into the twentieth century. Gertrude says she likes to play up the modern and contemporary jewelry designs because it seems so many already own the traditional styles. What Gertrude does is modernize traditional Native American designs, while keeping Native American themes. Gertrude consults with her Native American silversmiths in creating these pieces, and her favorite stone is turquoise.

On her website, gertrudezachary.com, she talks a little about how she comes up with a design: “I play with the stones,” she says. “And they will tell you what they want to be, depending on their colors and shapes. They form themselves into the overall shape. There is nothing like sitting down with an entire tray of turquoise to completely capture the imagination.”

One on one, Gertrude explains the jewelry making process this way: “One pattern is made and we go from there. Depending on the size, we know whether to make more of a certain style or not. For example, if it’s a big necklace we make about six, but if we know it will sell well, we can make as many as 50, but with different stones. For instance, one necklace will have green turquoise and another will have blue turquoise.” A look around her Nob Hill shop and one can see she also likes to work with amethyst, topaz, and other semi-precious gems.

Her jewelry has attracted customers from all over the world, from well-known locals like Mayor Martin Chávez to Hollywood actors. Steven Seagal has been known to step inside Gertrude Zachary Inc.

In her business, Gertrude employs several full-time New Mexico workers, including the silversmiths, the piece makers (those who take their work home), buffers, stone setters, in-layers, and the regular sales staff one sees in the stores.

The most recent addition to the Gertrude Zachary business is her combined antique and jewelry store in the Albuquerque Nob Hill area. Walking in, one’s eyes are invited by polished jewelry cases, then effortlessly ascend to embrace the elegant crystal and glass chandeliers. Further back in the store, Gertrude’s influence is seen in her hand-selected antiques, such as table sets, mirrors, paintings, and other distinctive furniture pieces. Having additional space to sell her antiques, she is delighted to be able to make more trips to Europe and other locales for more exotic antiques. There is no limit as to what kind of antiques you will find in her stores. There are gorgeous lamps, candleholders, jewelry boxes, tables, and the ubiquitous chandeliers. These chandeliers can add class to any room and Gertrude considers these items among her favorites.

Gertrude also has a new, modern furniture line that includes unique beds and couches in specialty colors and styles to add pizzazz the bedroom and/or living room. The unique furniture is available at Gertrude’s Nob Hill location.

In the Downtown area of Albuquerque, stands Gertrude Zachary’s Antiques Showroom, where she displays and sells her most famous antiques from France, Italy, and Paris. Gertrude says she goes overseas about two or three times a year to purchase antiques. She has also traveled to Argentina. Each piece glows with history, which makes each customer want to be apart of the story. She also sells the paintings of Phil Farrell Cockrum. “We sell a lot of his pieces. He’s excellent.” In the Downtown store, one can find great decoration pieces for home or office, with little chance they will be found in any other New Mexican home.

Next door to the Downtown location, Gertrude has created a “buzz” with construction of her dream home, a grand multi-story design located at the corner of Coal and Second Street, to be finished in September. She says, “The location suits the home.” And she says it will have lots of room to display her beloved antiques and jewelry—not to mention room for her dog, Zipper, to roam about. She says Zipper was so-named because the dog quickly zips around the manufacturing factory, bringing a smile to Gertrude’s face.

When asked about being a New Mexico businesswoman, Gertrude says, “It’s tough.” Yet, she says she and her staff are proud to be a part of the local community and appreciate the opportunity to grow with the city and the state. Through tenacity, determination, and talent, Gertrude Zachary has made her name part of the New Mexico landscape.