One of the award winning Native American jewelry makers of today is Calvin Begay. This designer and master craftsman was born in Gallup, New Mexico in 1965.
Calvin’s mother and uncle taught him the art of jewelry making. At age 10, he designed his first piece. Calvin Begay has become a true master in every aspect of the design and manufacture of Native American silver jewelry. The Gallup Inter Tribal Ceremonial has bestowed many awards to Calvin including Best of Show in 1989. Arizona Highways and Southwest Art have featured his jewelry in their magazines.
I love Calvin Begay jewelry, most especially his inlay work. He takes traditional techniques to a new level by creating flowing and contemporary styles. His choice of materials blend so harmoniously and fluidly making a piece of art to wear and treasure for its beauty.
The Calvin Begay Jewelry pictured here is only one of his designs. I love the combination of turquoise, lapis-lazuli, and sugilite mixing together to form what looks to me like a bird in flight. The pendant is worked in 14K gold instead of the traditional silver.
There is powerful medicine in the gemstones that Calvin used for this pendant. The lapis-lazuli will open your mind to the knowing that you are a part of “All That Is”, the awakening to the perfection of the self. Turquoise is associated with the male energy of protection and wisdom. Many believe that turquoise aids in protection by absorbing negative energy away from you. Sugilite is one of the most important love stones. Spiritual love and wisdom is represented through its rich purple rays. Wearing a piece of jewelry with these particular gemstones provides strong and loving medicine.
Had you thought of the Native American Totems that are incorporated into the jewelry made by artists like Calvin Begay and the jewelry makers of the past and present? Each stone has a traditional meaning with its own type of medicine.
~Mitakuye Oyasin~ We are all related
Where can I contact Calvin Begay?
My husband list his ring made by Calvin Begay and wants another made similar.
Thank you
Hi I
Have a ring by Calvin Begay and have lost a stone. Who can I contact to have it repaired . I can send a picture if it.
Beautiful jewelry!! Can you please tell me if there is also a Joan Begay that makes turquiose jacla necklaces and other necklaces?
Thank you, diane
I don’t personally know of a Joan Begay that makes jewelry. Doesn’t mean that there isn’t one. Calvin comes from a long line of gold and silversmiths. There is a Steven Joe Begay who also makes fine Navajo jewelry, he signs his work SJB.
That’s a beautiful piece of jewelry. A reminder that there is always much more to a story than meets the eye. Calvin Begay is new to me. Thank you for the great introduction.
Hi Bevspaper –
Nice background piece on Calvin Begay. Does he mostly work in contemporary styles or does he also do more traditional styles as well? The jewelry piece you have pictured is absolutely gorgeous and the bit of background on it is interesting. Gold instead of Sterling Silver is kind of unusual with turquoise, especially Native American jewelry. Thanks for the blog and I look forward to reading more!
Terri
Hi Terri and thank you for visiting my blog and leaving a comment.
Calvin Begay is Navajo and has been making his lovely jewelry since the age of 10. He learned the silversmith and Zuni techniques from his Mother and Uncle. He has a unique way of taking the traditional methods of jewelry making and translating those into lovely and elegant contemporary pieces. I chose the piece because of the use of the gold instead of traditional silver showing that the stones are lovely with both.
Beautiful! Wouldn’t that make a lovely birthday gift for someone special?
I love the piece you have pictured. It’s gorgeous!