THE ARTIST:

Navajo/Zuni artist Al Jake's work is some of the most sought after & it's pretty obvious why. All you have to do is run your eyes up & down the piece to see that this isn't no fly by night artist! He's a true pro & sits high on my list when it comes to 'quality made jewelry'.. I don't care whether it's one of his well executed' cuffs, his rings or his pendants, he will always pour his soul into the piece, regardless of how big or small. He'll always make it a point to see it's made perfectly no matter how long it takes to make..

He is a the epitome of a true artist who knows the "why's", the "what's" & the "how's" of what he's doing & never do you have to question how long he's has been at it,because you will see it in his work..His trained eye for form & balance can be witnessed throughout anything he makes!

We that know Al,know that he consistently creates some of the finest Navajo jewelry & never fails us when we want to own & wear the best.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 can be cherished a lifetime,be made with the highest grade stone available & a piece that is made to perfection. This ring is the perfect example..

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THE RING:

Not only is this an impressively made ring all the way around ,but it's a fine example of Al's work. Staying traditional in technique, Al beautifully framed the Lapis with different shaped appliques, conchos & beads that are all made by hand.. It's these that help to bring the focus to this excellent cut of Lapis.. I honestly can't keep tracked of how much Lapis I've seen in my lifetime, but this cut has all the rest beat! The color is unreal & has almost this electric blue color to it.. It's intense & has it's signature pyrite running along the center. The elongated cut is elegantly shaped & has a beautiful beveling to it.. It's pretty obvious that it was cut by a master lapidarist who instinctively knows how to bring out the maximum beauty of the stone, just by the way it's cut! The face of the ring sits atop of a tapered 6 split shank to accommodate the width of the ring (See photos 10-11)