MAGNIFICENT STERLING SILVER GRADUATED HANDCRAFTED STAMPED NAVAJO PEARLS BY MASTER SILVERSMITH LEO YAZZIE- RETIRED.
26" LONG. LARGEST BEAD MEASURES A WHOPPING 30 MM WIDE. SMALLEST IS 8 MM. MADE UP OF 51 BEADS.
EARRINGS ARE 46 MM LONG. Weighs 138 grams!
Handmade (hand made) beads are entirely hand crafted: cutting, stamping, dapping, drilling, soldering, filing, polishing, stringing is all done by hand. Hand made beads are very labor intensive, therefore much more expensive than bench made beads. When taking the time to make beads by hand, Navajo silversmiths generally use heavy gauge sterling silver, which also adds to the price. Because each bead is made individually, there might be slight variations from bead to bead.
Navajo Artist, Leo Yazzie was born and raised at Black Mesa, Arizona and currently resides in Flagstaff, AZ with his wife, Carolyn.
He got interested in jewelry-making while taking an elective class in metal-smithing when he was pursuing studies in sociology at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. He has been designing and making fine jewelry on a full time basis for over 40 years & is now retired.
His exposure to Navajo traditional culture and teachings in his home influenced his work designs. He credits his late grandmother and late mother’s storm pattern rug weaving designs along with his religious influences for his creativity.
He has won numerous awards and recognition in several states: Arizona, New Mexico, California, etc. His work is shown and for sale in galleries in Flagstaff, Sedona, Jacob Lake, Scottsdale, Tucson, AZ, Austin, TX, Somers, NY, Washington, DC, Chicago, IL, Albuquerque, NM, Dana Point, CA, Indianapolis, IN, and various other galleries throughout the country.
He is also a member of the Indian Arts and Crafts Association.