Description
Measures 1.75 inches wide with a Natural Royston Boulder Turquoise Center Stone<br>accented with a bead frame. The sides of the stone have additional Sterling and<br>rope design. Inside measures 5.75 inches plus a gap of 1.25 inches. Stamped<br>Sterling and Hallmarked. Weighs 51.1 Grams. Native American, Navajo,<br>Southwestern Indian Jewelry.Leon MartinezNavajo artist Leon Martinez says he was<br>influenced by his parents, Leo and Edith Martinez, to become a jewelry artist as<br>early as 1970. “At the age of nine, I was assisting my parents with buffering,<br>solder, and setting stones,” recalls Leon. He also helped his parents make<br>squash blossom necklaces, rings, and bracelets during the high demand for Indian<br>Jewelry in the 1970s. Making jewelry soon became a passion for Leon and his<br>talent grew enormously. “I was a self starter artist using nature from plants,<br>flowers, rocks, and landscapes for designs and structures. I use everything<br>that’s in my environment, even clouds. Everything God has made. The designs are<br>used for bracelets, rings, conchos, bolos, and earrings. I do my art work for<br>competition, and the jewelry gives me unlimited joy,” says Leon.In addition to<br>his parents, Leon considers many people and artists his teachers and influences,<br>including Calvin Martinez, Kirk Smith, Sunshine Daniel Reeves, Ernest Begay,<br>Tommy Jackson, and Tommy Singer.Leon’s jewelry is described as early 1900s old<br>style mixed with contemporary style. “In making designs, even making one piece<br>has made me to become patient, putting quality time into the smallest item. This<br>helps me to perfect my work - soldering, setting stones by size, measurement for<br>perfect fitting, and selection of stones for each piece of work. I try to make<br>each piece of jewelry close to its perfection,” says Leon.Leon has won several<br>first place awards at the Navajo Nation Fair and Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial,<br>known as the largest fair and annual event.
