The Elegance of Darryl Dean Begay Jewelry

Turquoise is one of the most beautiful and highly prized stones. The stunning blues and greens create striking centerpieces for any type of jewelry. Turquoise comes from all over the world. In the US, turquoise stones are mainly found in seven states and these include Nevada and Arizona. Native Americans consider turquoise a sacred stone.

It is believed that turquoise can absorb negativity and transform it into useful energy. The precious stone is also believed to help you unite with the universe. The real meaning of turquoise is unique from one person to another, because it will depend on the heart and soul of the individual who would wear the turquoise jewelry. Turquoise is used in Native American jewelry, like the rings and bracelets by Darryl Dean Begay.

Raised in the traditional Navajo culture, Darryl Dean Begay was born on the Navajo Reservation and comes from a family of artists. His grandfather was a ceremonial sandpainter, and his grandmother a weaver. His artistic background allowed him to be himself with his art, and this enabled him to create unique and rare jewelry in gold and sterling silver.

Bobby Begay is a medicine man of the Native American Church; he is also Darryl's uncle and a big influence in his knowledge in jewelry making. Darryl started working with him in the summer of 1997 while he was a college student studying business and accounting. It was during this time that Darryl started learning the traditional tufa casting technique, which is unique to Navajo silversmiths.

Tuft casting requires skill because it needs the reverse of the design to be carved into the porous sandstone (the tufa) before molten silver can be poured into it. Bobby shared his knowledge with Darryl about artists from the past. Those artists would melt Mexican pesos, old jewelry, and US silver dollars to be poured into molds. Eventually, Darryl started making bracelets and learned to carve stone.

Some of Darryl's best creations feature rare spiderweb turquoise stones. An example is the rare gem grade Godber Burnham spiderweb turquoise in solid 18K gold over tufa cast sterling silver bracelet. It is notable for its intricate carving of large vines and leaves on both ends of the bracelet, with two humming birds hovering near the stone. The turquoise gem has an attractive electric sky blue color with reddish-brown spider webbing. Darryl uses the finest grade turquoise produced in a mine, making his gorgeous jewelry collectible not only for its artistic value, but for the gem grade stones incorporated in his pieces.

About the Company: Turquoise Direct is one of the prominent sellers of authentic handmade turquoise jewelry, designed by award winning Native American Artists like Philander Begay, Arland Ben, Ned and Leonard Nez, Watson Honanie, Tommy Jackson and many others who place the finest natural American turquoise in beautiful contemporary and traditional silver and gold designs in their jewelry.

Turquoise Direct offers an outstanding variety of Native American jewelry, from bracelets and earrings, necklaces and rings to buckles and bolos by some of the most collectible and highly esteemed Native American artists in the Southwest.

Turquoise Direct is one of the most prominent sellers of authentic handmade turquoise jewelry, designed by award winning Native American artists, including Julian Lovato, Harry H.