THE ARTIST:

Navajo/Zuni artist Al Jake's work demands a higher price than most & it's pretty obvious why..After all ,when you've been doing this for years & spending every day,all day making jewelry, how could you not be this good?? The one thing about Al, is he literally pours his soul into every piece, regardless of how big the piece is or how small, just so he can be sure each have the cleanest workmanship & it doesn't matter how long it takes, as long as it's 'done right'..

He's an artist whose mathematical, analytical & precise ,since he knows what he's doing & why he's doing it & never do you have to question how long he's has been at it,because you will see it in his work.. He is a "Above Average" artist that offers "Above Average" jewelry. All you need to see is that hallmark of his,to know you'll be owning a piece that you can cherish a lifetime,while being guaranteed only the highest grade stones will be used..He has a reputable name for quality & is highly collectible.

**********************

THE CUFF:

One thing this cuff has plenty of, is it's Navajo charm! Al does what he does best & that is to dress up the sterling & take what was plain & simple,to a whole new level of excitement!

Sitting atop of a 12 gauge sterling shank,Al made sure the 3 oval cuts of Lapis stand out,so he did a lot of embellishing around each stone with crescent moon shape appliques, domed star conchos & beads that he makes himself! On the shanks sides, there are applique accents that lay atop of the tooled shank & it's in this area,where you're able to see the shank somewhat, since it has less embellishing.(See photo 5) The Lapis are laid horizontally so they span to the curvature of the cuff..You'll see specks of gold pyrite,which is known to higher quality Lapis.

THE FINISHING:

The finishing is simply stunning, since it literally gleams since he knows how & where to give the metal maximum contrast by leaving it deeply oxidized deep in the crevices below & a lighter oxidation on the tops.

It's not 'over the top' in width & for ones who love a more simpler look,wearing this by itself will definitely be satisfying to your tastes,but for those who love to stack your cuffs, ,this would be great based on it's straight perimeter edges.