An oval geometric inlaid multi-stone silver ring. The ring has a very intricately cut geometric inlaid pattern comprised of a number of pieces of turquoise, lapis and fire opal. There are three slightly different shades of turquoise, and one veined piece. All pieced together, they combine to make this stunning traditional Native American design. The design is that of the Navajo Native American tribe, and was made by a jeweller from this tribe. The Navajo tribe, now located in occupying portions of northeastern Arizona, southeastern Utah, and northwestern New Mexico, was the first Native American group to learn Mexican silversmithing techniques. Navajo artist Atsidi Chon then taught the art to a member of the Zuni tribe. This is an example of the Navajo 'cluster work' technique, characterized by a series of shaped stones set into various bezel settings. This 'cluster work' later evolved into the more intricate petit point and needlepoint styles. A variety of bold and colourful stones are cemented into channels created by soldering pieces of silver to a backing plate. The stones are then polished flat, resulting in multicolored designs with veins of silver running through them. The ring is marked both "sterling" and signed with the makers mark "PL" engraved into the back the inside. The maker is Paul Largo, a very talented Navajo skilled artist. The ring is a size 9.75. This ring, and any other can be sized to any required size.
