Harvey Begay Corn Pin

Harvey Begay

Harvey Begay

Harvey Begay

Navajo tufa cast 14k yellow gold and natural fire opal Corn Pin 

Harvey Begay was the son of famous Navajo silversmith Kenneth Begay, an acclaimed silversmith who featured in many books written about modern Southwest jewelry. His father and  the French jewelry designer, Pierre Tourraine, were large influences on Harvey Begay's work. Harvey Begay passed away in 2009. He was 70 years old. 

Harvey lived an exciting life. From ages 14-18 he worked as a benchsmith for White Hogan, where his father also worked. He kept making jewelry while in collage at Arizona State University. He was a combat pilot during the Vietnam War flying F4 Phantom Jets. Following Vietnam, Harvey became a test pilot for McDonnell Douglas. He returned to making jewelry in 1970. In 1973 Harvey opened his own gallery in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. His superb craftmanship and award-winning designs make his pieces highly sought-after, worldwide.

The pin measures 1-5/16" long by 1-5/8" wide, and it weighs 13.6g. It's stamped with the makers hallmark HB and "14k".

Tufa casting is a process used by the Native American silversmiths to produce jewelry, the artisan will first carve in stone the mirror image of the object he wants to cast. Molten silver is then poured into the carved stone and when it cools the piece is removed. Usually only one tufa casting can be made as the fine details in the stone are destroyed when the casting is removed. Tufa casting is the only casting process that produces an original one of a kind.