Cecil Ashley Navajo Denim Lapis, coral, opal, onyx, sterling pendant on 22" lapis beaded necklace. Sterling beads and clasp on necklace. Measurements in pics. I think I have earrings to match the pendant, listed separately because I didn't know until the pics were taken.
Cecil worked for the Brown family, Brown’s Trading Company in Safford, Arizona in the mid-80's and had access to top grade Morenci turquoise, which he used to create many beautiful jewelry pieces. There he honed his craft before venturing out on his own and establishing his own studio. Most of Cecil’s pieces have a variety of colorful, inlaid materials including spiny oyster, onyx, lapis, opal and the rare Dragon Skin or Brown Spider Web turquoise. These stones are most often inlaid in asymmetrical settings. His other silverwork is classic Navajo stamp work with classically set stones.
All precious metals are tested and guaranteed. A Native American jewelry piece referred to as "silver" or "ingot" is guaranteed to be at least 90% silver. I rarely use the word "sterling" when referring to older Native American silver or really any older silver jewelry as silver contents vary and "sterling" is 92.5% silver. No older jewelry is going to be exactly 92.5% silver, some a little over, some a little under. It wasn't an exact thing with handmade jewelry. I've seen thousands of pieces xrf'd to prove this. Bracelets are photographed on a 6" women's wrist.
