Description
Ernest Bilay Sr. Navajo Sterling and Royston Turquoise Pendant, Weight:66.9<br>Grams, | 3.75" tall x 2.25" wide.<br><br>Ernest Thomas Bilay (ETB)<br><br>Earnest Thomas Bilay (ETB) was born in Tuba City, Arizona to the Red House Big<br>Water Clan and has been immersed in his trade for the better part of his life.<br>His grandparents are from the Around the House Clan and the Bitter Water Clan.<br>This craftsman was guided by his mother early on and continued those traditions<br>into his adult years. He worked as a silversmith for over 35 years, since the<br>mid 1970’s, until his passing in 2014.<br><br>His mother started him out with buffing the earrings she made. From there she<br>gave him other duties, such as soldering things for her. With this beginning,<br>Ernest started making his own jewelry, and he did not ever look back. He<br>continued those traditions into his adult years.<br><br>Ernest worked out of his own home, and worked for various traders. Along the way<br>he met many other silver and goldsmiths, and he always enjoyed sharing stories<br>about the metals, turquoises and other materials they use.
