Darryl Becenti large Lapis pendant- BC 1390

Handcrafted by renown Navajo artist Darryl Becenti. Known for his detailed stamping and high grade stones. Measuring 3" in length and 2" in width. The large bail will accommodate multiple strands of beads. (3-strand lapis necklace shown is sold separately: SKU- BC 1395) Darryl Becenti, born 1957 in Gallup New Mexico was taught silver smithing by his brothers in law, Leroy, and David Reeves in 1980. Darryl is also known for his sand painting. Darryl was born June.2nd 1957. He originally worked heavy construction for about 20 years before he began working with silver-smithing. In 1985 his brother-in-law David Reeves began to teach him. The Reeves family is one of the best known and highly regarded Navajo families in jewelry making. Darryl’s first pieces were actually in copper, and this is where he perfected his stamping style. All his stamps are handmade. He considers his work "Old Style". Darryl has taken numerous awards from Ceremonials over the years. Darryl passed away in April,2020. Lapis Lazuli – Mines in northeast Afghanistan continue to be a major source of lapis lazuli. It is a stone prized for its intense blue color. The name Lapis Lazuli comes from the Arabic word lazward, from which the word azure comes, which means blue. Ancient Romans used to call it "sapphires," which was subsequently applied to the blue variety of corundum we know today as sapphire.