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Ruth Ann Begay / Desbah Begay - Navajo Jewelry
Ruth Ann Begay was born in Phoenix, Arizona, but her family moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico where she grew up speaking only Navajo. Her father brought the family to Albuquerque and raise his children modernly instead of traditionally.
She learned how to silver-smith by watching her mother and her sister. Ruth Ann began silver-smithing professionally after high school and started with simple bezels, and soldering then moving on to decorative work such as leaves. She is now married and has one daughter, Desbah (pictured above). When asked why she didn’t raise her daughter traditionally, she says, “Why send them back when they can go forward.” She has taught her daughter how to do silverwork but understands that Desbah’s interest lies in electric work.
Ruth Ann and her husband live in Prewitt, New Mexico. She says that New Mexico is her favorite place to be.
Ruth Ann has worked with a respected shop for over 30 years, driving 70 miles one way to work until the price of gas went up.
Ruth Ann uses modern tools to make her jewelry. She taught herself how to finish silver jewelry. Ruth Ann says that when she signs her name to a piece, it is important that the quality of her work be something of which she can be proud. Ruth Ann thinks that teaching silver smithing sounds interesting. She says that the value of being an artist is that she can find jobs that allow her to be creative.
Desbah Begay - Navajo
Earrings - French Wire
Natural Mediterranean Coral Ovals & Charoite Dots
Sterling Silver
$199.00
Desbah Begay - Navajo - New Mexico, USA Desbah is Ruth Ann Begay's daughter. These were made in 2011, when the coral was deep red and cost much less. These...
Ruth Ann Begay - Navajo Jewelry
7/8" Pendant- Heart
Pink Mussel Shell,
Silver Rosette and Silver Chain
$46.00
Ruth Ann Begay - Navajo Jewelry New Mexico, USA This is a really pretty design. I have earrings in Denim Lapis in the same style. Although listed as one-of-a-kind, they...
Ruth Ann Begay - Navajo Jewelry
Earrings - French Wire
Sterling Silver Hearts with
White Mother of Pearl Heart
$79.00
Artist: Ruth Ann Begay Navajo, New Mexico - Native American Jewelry : Very attractive heart on heart design. White mother of pearl heart mounted on a sterling silver heart. Total Earring...
Ruth Ann Begay - Navajo Jewelry
Earrings - Post/Stud
Sterling Silver Oval with Dots
and Gaspiete Oval
$46.00
Ruth Ann Begay, Navajo Jewelry, New Mexico, USA - Native American Indian Jewelry : High quality silver and stone work. Ruth Ann works for the a trader shop in New Mexico. These...
Ruth Ann Begay - Navajo
Earrings - French Wire
Sterling Silver Hearts with
Enhanced Sleeping Beauty Turquoise
$98.75
Ruth Ann Begay Navajo, New Mexico : Very attractive heart on heart design. Enhanced Sleeping Beauty turquoise mounted on a sterling silver heart. Total Earring Drop (including wire): 1-3/8"H...
Ruth Ann Begay - Navajo
Earrings - Post/Stud
Carnelian Ovals with
Sterling Silver Filagree & Dots Perimeter
$180.00
Ruth Ann Begay, Navajo Lovely rich deep carnelian set in handmade silver filagree that looks almost Victorian. High quality silver and stone work. Ruth Ann works for the a trader...
Ruth Ann Begay - Navajo
Pendant- Sterling Silver Heart with
White Mother of Pearl
and Silver Chain
$79.00
Ruth Ann Begay - Navajo New Mexico, USA I love this design. Ruth makes it in pendants and earrings AND a variety of stones. The sterling silver chain is not...
Ruth Ann Begay - Navajo
Ring - Denim Lapis Oval in
3D Flower Sterling Setting
Bead & Twist Wire Perimeter
Size 8.5
$56.00
Ruth Ann Begay, Navajo Jewelry - New Mexico, USA : A small more traditional style. This ring has a very deep blue denim lapis stone. Remember to check the dimensions-the photos...
Ruth Ann Begay
Navajo
Ring - Amethyst Oval in
Sterling Setting
Size 9
$86.00
Ruth Ann Begay Navajo Jewelry - New Mexico, USA A very dainty ring style with nice deep amethyst. Size: 9 Ring : 1/2"H x 1/4"W (not including the side beads) Amethyst Dimension:...
Ruth Ann Begay
Navajo
Ring - Charoite Oval in
Flowered Sterling Setting
Sizes 8.75
$85.00
Ruth Ann Begay Navajo Jewelry - New Mexico, USA A very feminine ring style. I have this is a variety of stones and sizes Size: 8-3/4 Ring : 3/4"H x...
Ruth Ann Begay
Navajo
Ring - Lapis Oval in
Flowered Sterling Setting
Sizes 7.25
$85.00
Ruth Ann Begay Navajo - New Mexico, USA : A very feminine ring style. I have this is a variety of stones and sizes Size: One Left 7.25 Ring : 3/4"H...
Ruth Ann Begay
Navajo
Ring - Lapis Oval in
Sterling Setting
Bead & Twist Wire Perimeter
Size 8.5-
$69.00
Ruth Ann Begay, Navajo Jewelry - New Mexico, USA A small more traditional style. I have this is a variety of stones and sizes Size: 8-1/2- (Btwn 8.25 &...
Ruth Ann Begay
Navajo
Ring - Malachite Oval in
Flowered Sterling Setting
Sizes 7.75
$85.00
Ruth Ann Begay Navajo Jewelry - New Mexico, USA A very feminine ring style. I have this is a variety of stones and sizes Size: One Left 7-3/4 Ring : 3/4"H...
Ruth Ann Begay
Navajo
Ring - Orange Spiny Oval in
Flowered Sterling Setting
Size 9
$85.00
Ruth Ann Begay Navajo Jewelry - New Mexico, USA A very feminine ring style. I have this is a variety of stones and sizes Size: 9 Ring : 3/4"H x 3/4"W...
Z Desbah Begay - Navajo Jewelry
Earrings Post
Silver Flowers
Sterling Accent
Sold Out - $0.00
Desbah Begay Navajo Jewelry, New Mexico, USA Each of these post-style earrings have been fashioned into clusters of silver flowers, presenting both a stark simplicity and an ornate brilliance. Desbah is...
Z Ruth Ann Begay - Navajo Jewelry
Earrings - French Wire
Lapis Lazuli Teardrops
with Sterling Silver Beaded Perimeter
Sold Out - $0.00
Ruth Ann Begay, Navajo - Native American Jewelry Rich, dark, high quality lapis lazuli set in silver bead perimeter. I have a spectacular size 6 teardrop lapis ring (different artist) that would...
Z Ruth Ann Begay - Navajo Jewelry
Handmade Earrings- Post
Natural Boulder Turquoise
Sterling Accents
Sold Out - $0.00
Ruth Ann Begay Navajo, New Mexico, USA - Native American Indian Jewelry This extremely attractive design is a signature of Ruth. Each time she makes it, the stones are...
Z Ruth Ann Begay - Navajo Jewelry
Pendant- Sterling Silver Heart with Stabilized Kingman Turquoise
with Silver Chain
Available in Various Stones
Sold Out - $0.00
Ruth Ann Begay - Navajo Jewelry New Mexico, USA I love this design. Ruth makes it in pendants and earrings AND a variety of stones. The sterling silver chain is...
Z Ruth Ann Begay - Navajo
7/16" Earrings
Denim Lapis Hearts
Rosette Accent
French Wire
Sterling Silver
Sold Out - $0.00
Ruth Ann Begay, Navajo This adorable pair of dark denim lapis hearts will be perfect with a pair of jeans. The silver rosettes above the hearts provide an additional feminine touch. High...
Z Ruth Ann Begay - Navajo
Earrings - French Wire
Lapis Lazuli Ovals
Sterling Silver Filagree Perimeter
Sold Out - $0.00
Ruth Ann Begay, Navajo Rich, dark high quality lapis lazuli set in handmade filagree perimeter. *One of a Kind!* Total Drop: 1-1/2"H - Overall (not including bale attachment): 7/8"H x 7/16"W Lapis Stone: 9/16"H...