Hopi handmade sterling silver bear earrings, inlaid by famous Hopi/Pima artists, Bennard & Frances Dallasvuyaoma. The earrings measure 3/4 inch long from tip of bear's nose to tail. Gold opal, black opal and gaspeite.
Brand new, but upon close examination, I noticed there is a small hairline crack in one of the stones, (the gold opal stone on the bear's rump pictured on the right in the photos) so I am discounting these earrings by 50% ! The crack is only noticeable under magnification and does not go all the way thru the stone. You can not even feel it with your finger.
Certificate of Authenticity and gift box included. Purchased in person directly from the artist, Bennard Dallasvuyaoma.
About the artists: Bennard & Frances Dallasvuyaoma are Native American Hopi/Pima Artists from New Mexico. Their innovative jewelry is a dramatic blend of both ancient and contemporary tradi�tions, techniques and materials. Frances is Hopi and Bennard is Pima and Hopi. We design each piece of jewelry to signify balance and harmony, says Bennard. When we talk about balance and harmony, we mean that there is an order to everything and nothing is in disarray. Cut and polished by hand, natural gems and stones are set in a modern version of the ancient mosaic style. The results are dazzling each piece of jewelry in a rainbow of colors combining symbolism from their cultures.
The stones are encased in sterling silver or gold cast in sandstone from Hotevilla on the Third Mesa. It was important to Bennard and Frances to find rock from their homelands to cast their jewelry. The sandstone creates beautiful settings of textured metal which contrasts with the smooth surfaces of the gems.