Two Ancestors Tufa Cast Pendant - Darryl Begay (#05)

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Bisbee turquoise is considered one of the classics. The most recognized variety is a dark lavender blue color with a deep chocolate brown to black matrix. As with all turquoise, there is a wide variety of quality from the Bisbee mine; color and matrix patterns vary a great deal. Some of the most distinctively recognizable Indian jewelry has been set and photographed containing classic Bisbee turquoise. The most productive period of the Bisbee turquoise mine was the 1950's and 1960's. Anything coming from the mine these days is scavenged from the old dumps. The mine has been closed since the early 1970's and is currently owned by Phelps Dodge Corp. Bisbee Mine. Arizona, Cochise County. Turquoise is found in the open pit copper mine. (The Lavender Pit) Some very fine quality, hard turquoise is found here with good color and beautiful dark-colored matrix. It is found as stringers up to a few inches wide; small nugget-like masses in granite and quartzite; and minute stringers in massive pyrite.

About the artist:

Darryl Begay - Jeweler

Darryl learned the art of Tufa casting from his uncle Bobby Begay. Through trial and error Darryl has created his own style of jewelry. Rich in Navajo culture, his hard work has brought Darryl recognition in the native art scene. Raymond C. Yazzie taught Darryl the difficult technique of corn row style inlay. Raymond has also been sharing his metal smithing techniques and has been a mentor to Darryl. The meticulous carving of thte Tufa stone has brought Darryl to new levels as his jewelry has become more three dimensional. With a recenrt trip to the Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts, Darryl has learned new techniques which he will incorporate in his jewelry. For now he is making one masterpiece at a time.

See full biography | See all items by Darryl Begay

Related categories:

Bisbee Turquoise Jewelry See all items in this category
Navajo Sand and Tufa Cast Pendants See all items in this category
Navajo Turquoise Pendants See all items in this category
Tufa Cast Jewelry See all items in this category

Related legends:

Silversmithing
When and how the Navaho acquired the art of working metals is unknown but there are reasons for supposing that it was introduced among them, or at least more developed and improved upon by them, since the time they have occupied their present country? More about this legend

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