An award-winning Navajo jewelry artist, Darryl Dean Begay received the prestigious and highly coveted Best of Show award during the 88th annual Santa Fe Indian Market along with his wife Rebecca. Since then, the couple’s jewelry making career blossomed, making them true leaders in the industry. Darryl has successfully made his own niche in the jewelry making and Native American art scene, thanks to his unique styles and designs.
His work is rich in Navajo cultural inspirations and all his pieces are handmade using skills that he has developed through years of learning, and techniques that are very much his own. Having trained under world renowned masters of the craft, (Begay learned the ins and outs of tufa casting from uncle, Bobby Begay and stone inlaying from Raymond Yazzie) it is no surprise that Begay is highly respected in the Navajo jewelry scene. His unique technique combines tufa casting and his incredible use of lapidary inlay and fabrication. This interesting marriage of two innovative working styles has brought him the recognition that his pieces so richly deserve. Begay’s pieces are widely sought after across the globe for their exceptional quality and innate beauty.
Darryl Dean Begay creates one design at a time, giving his undivided attention to each creation. He and wife Rebecca only use top grade materials to ensure the quality of each finished product. He has excellent knowledge of gemstones, particularly turquoise, and uses the things he learned from the masters along with his own unique techniques and styles to create the most exciting designer pieces you will see in the market. Also evident in his pieces is his strong dedication to the Navajo culture. Each piece reflects his deep desire to preserve cultural traditions. His work also uses precious gems and sacred stones, which he believes give his pieces positive energy.
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