Description
Vernon A Begaye Navajo Large Tufa Cast silver, turquoise and coral pendant, Very substantial 60 grams, other measurements in pics, no issues. Inside bail is approx 7mm x 10mm.
Vernon Begaye was born in 1965 on the Navajo reservation to a family of artists. His father, Jimmie Mae was a talented silversmith and his mother, Ella Mae wove beautiful Navajo weavings. He grew up shadowing his father at their jeweler’s bench and learned skills at an early age. Vernon’s brothers, Marco and Jason, learned silversmithing as well and all three are talented artists.
Vernon’s style is a blending of traditional and contemporary techniques. His work often features clean tufa cast designs and he finishes his pieces with both set stones and lapidary work. Vernon uses the highest quality stones in his work and he loves using turquoise stones from the Bisbee, Kingman, Lone Mountain, and Morenci turquoise mines. Vernon signs his pieces with a stamped “VAB”.
Vernon Begaye has gone on to win many awards at the the Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial show, the Heard Museum Show and others. His career has no ceiling and it will be exciting to see where his creativity takes him!
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.
