Navajo artist Arland Ben is known for inventing the use of small 18K and 14K gold petroglyph images, which he overlays on sterling silver to craft visually stunning and one-of-a-kind jewelry. He is well-known for working only with gold, but his sterling silver pieces are highly prized collectibles and considered rare, too. He creates unique patterns, even on small pieces like rings. Some ring patterns designed by Arland Ben feature the highest grade natural turquoise stones in the US, and he gets the gems from reputable and trustworthy suppliers of gem grade turquoise. Here are some of the various ring patterns he designed:
- Rare gem grade Indian Mountain turquoise on solid 14K gold over sterling silver – Arland Ben personally collected the Indian Mountain turquoise in the 1990s. The gem is naturally eye-catching with its lustrous electric blue color and black matrix, and it is one of the highest-grade turquoise found in Nevada, adding rarity and more value to the ring.
Arland set the stone in the hand-chiseled bezel over a signature starburst design. The shank’s interior is stamped in a pattern resembling mountains. His hand-etched signature is found on the outside, and it has been oxidized and overlaid with solid 14K gold petroglyphs. Intricate symbols feature migration, antelope, a couple holding hands under the stars, lightning, and hands.
- Rare gem grade Candelaria Spiderweb turquoise with a petroglyph design – The gem grade red Candelaria Spiderweb turquoise was initially found in North Central Nevada several years ago, but only in small amounts. The pieces were hoarded, and only a few emerged. The stone used in this Arland Ben ring features a three-dimensional deep Calendaria blue color with complex red webbing. He set it in a one-of-a-kind hand-chiseled bezel, which bears his signature design. The shank is beautifully tapered, and the band is etched entirely by hand, oxidized, and decorated with 14 karat gold petroglyphs, which he cut and individually overlaid by hand.
- Ingot sterling silver ring – Arland Ben crafted wide shank manually by hand-rolling ingot sterling silver. He stamped the traditional revival style design using homemade tools.
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