Navajo Turquoise Pendant

Navajo sterling silver and Kingman turquoise pendant made by Navajo silversmith Avin Joe. Marked "AJ" and "Sterling" on back. Comes on simple sterling chain. Avin Joe, master Navajo silversmith born and raised on the Navajo Reservation, learned the trade through his father Phillip Joe who was taught by his uncle Kenneth Begay. Avin learned the basics through observation and developed his skills by taking silversmithing classes ag Ganado High School. During the next several years, Avin worked with various metals to learn their properties, reaction to heat, stamping, etc. and since the mid 1990s has worked almost exclusively in silver, perfecting his skills, to become a master silversmith, building top quality pieces featured in the finest galleries, museums and collections around the world.