BC 1327 Albert Jake "cold chisel" pendant

Lapis Lazuli – Mines in northeast Afghanistan continue to be a major source of lapis lazuli. Important amounts are also produced from mines west of Lake Baikal in Russia, and in the Andes mountains in Chile. Smaller quantities are mined in Pakistan, Italy, Mongolia, the United States, and Canada. 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. Albert Jake: was born in 1959 in the Zuni Pueblo south of Gallup, New Mexico. He learned silversmithing from his parents. He specializes in traditional set stones and cluster jewelry with intricate stamp work. He has been smithing since 1987. He also creates sand-paintings and makes pottery. During the summers he works as a forest fire fighter. He lives with his wife and two daughters today in Rahmah, New Mexico, near the Zuni Pueblo. Renown Navajo artist Albert Jake has crafted this beautiful pendant. Set in solid sterling silver and genuine lapis. The artist has used a technique called "cold chisel" to create the design the setting. Silver is usually stamped when it is heated, making it softer and easier to stamp. In this case the artist has used a much more difficult process in which the artist stamps the silver while it is cool. He uses heavy hammers and hand made stamps to strike the silver. Measuring over 3" in length this is a large piece. The bail is large enough to hold up to a 12mm bead. This is an outstanding piece.