Richard Chavez is regarded by jewelry collectors as one of the finest lapidary artists in the American Southwest. His exquisite Native American-style pieces are painstakingly handcrafted with intricate inlays, dramatic designs and exceptional quality.
Chavez was born in 1949 in San Felipe Pueblo, New Mexico, located along the banks of the Rio Grande. In the early 1970s, he attended the University of New Mexico’s School of Architecture and worked as an architectural draftsman for Harvey S. Hoshour, who had worked for famed Bauhaus architect and designer Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.
While in architectural school, Chavez supplemented his income by making jewelry. In 1976, he left his studies to pursue a full-time career as a jewelry designer, establishing the Chavez Studio.
Influenced by the Bauhaus philosophy of minimalism, balance and the sophisticated use of materials, and inspired by Hopi jeweler Charles Loloma, Chavez began crafting his jewelry using non-traditional stones such as opal, tiger’s eye, lapis lazuli, black jade, fossilized ivory and colored agate, materials he still uses today.
With his perfectionist’s eye, Chavez meticulously hand cuts each stone before it is ground into shape, polished and placed into a gold or silver setting. Chavez’s labor-intensive process results in seemingly seamless creations such as his cuff bracelets. Cocktail rings, fashion rings and other rings and bracelets are also pieced together with puzzle-like precision.
In 1976, Chavez entered his first competition at the Eight Northern Indian Pueblo Arts and Crafts Show, winning the grand prize. He went on to win multiple awards before he stopped entering competitions in 1990.
Chavez now works with his son Jared at the Chavez Studio, creating fine gold and silver jewelry with semi-precious stones. Together, they have participated in several jewelry shows and fairs across the United States.
In 2018, a retrospective exhibition of Chavez’s jewelry titled “Symmetry in Stone” was held at the Heard Museum in Phoenix, Arizona.
On 1stDibs, discover a range of Richard Chavez’s rings and bracelets.
Richard Chavez Black Jade, Coral, Turquoise, Yellow Gold Ring, 1998
By Richard Chavez
Located in New York, NY
A black jade, coral, turquoise and 14 karat gold ring, by master goldsmith & lapidary, San Felipe Pueblo, Richard Chavez, 1998. The ring is a size 8 US and is stamped with Richard Ch...
Coral, Jade, Turquoise, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Oval Cabochon Black Jade 18K Yellow Gold Trellis Ring
By Valentin Magro
Located in New York, NY
Black jade is amplified by the warm glow of 18k yellow gold for this ring. An oval-shaped cabochon is the apex, displaying its opaque luster. Round prongs secure the gemstone and for...
Black Jade, Jade, Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage Triple Cabochon Coral 14K Gold Band Ring
Located in Rotterdam, NL
A vintage triple coral stone set in a gold band ring. The three stones are round shaped cabochons surrounded by a 14 karat yellow gold frame and bezel set. Coral is considered a symb...
Coral, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Edwardian Turquoise Five-Stone 9 Carat Gold Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This wonderful turquoise five stone ring is modelled in 9ct gold and features bright oval turquoise stones. Fully hallmarked Chester 1911. Ring Size: K or 5 1/4 Weight: 2g
Diamond, Turquoise, Gold
$2,314Sale Price|20% Off
Art Deco Style Sardinia Red Coral White Diamond Jade Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring
By Luigi Ferrara
Located in Naples, IT
For any problems related to some materials contained in the items that do not allow shipping, please contact the seller with a private message to solve the problem. We can ship every...
Coral, Diamond, White Diamond, Jade, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Oval Cabochon Green Jade Ring 14K Yellow Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Item Specifications: Metal: 14k Yellow Gold Style: Statement Ring Ring Size: 8.75 (resizing available for a fee) Total Weight: 13.2 Grams Gemstone Specifications: Center Gemst...
Jade, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Natural Jadeite Jade Yellow Gold Ring
Located in New York, NY
24k yellow gold ring, with natural jadeite jade, measuring 18.3 x 8.6 x 2.6mm. Ring size - 8.75, ring top is 10mm wide. Marked:999, Asian mark. W...
Jade, Yellow Gold
$2,410Sale Price|20% Off
Art Deco White Diamond Jade Cabochon Cut Turquoise Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring
By Luigi Ferrara
Located in Naples, IT
For any problems related to some materials contained in the items that do not allow shipping, please contact the seller with a private message to solve the problem. We can ship every...
Diamond, White Diamond, Jade, Turquoise, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Angel Skin Coral Sphere Diamond Ring 14k Yellow Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Item Specifications: Metal: 14K Yellow Gold Style: Statement Ring Ring Size: 6.5 (resizing available for a fee) Total Weight: 6.5 Grams Gemstone: Angelskin Coral Sphere Diamete...
Coral, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Oval Cabochon Green Jade Ring 14K Yellow Gold Size 12.5
Located in Honolulu, HI
Item Specifications: Metal: 14k Yellow Gold Style: Statement Ring Ring Size: 12.5 (resizing available for a fee) Total Weight: 11.0 Grams Gemstone Specifications: Center Gemst...
Jade, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Navajo Kingman Turquoise and Coral Ring
By Navajo
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Navajo Kingman turquoise and oxblood coral and sterling silver ring. Stamped "sterling" with maker's initial "J". PERIOD: Contemporary ORIGIN: Southwest - Navajo, Native American SIZE: 8.25 face...
Turquoise, Coral, Sterling Silver
Oval Cabochon Red Jade Ring 14k Yellow Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Ring Specifications: Metal: 14k Yellow Gold Total Weight: 6.7 Grams Jade Measurements: 15.6 mm x 9.98 mm x 6.7 Ring Size: 7 (resizable) Stamped: "14K" Condition: Preowned
Jade, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Turquoise Sapphire Diamond Gold Flower Band Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This feminine ring features 11.40 carats of the esteemed turquoise shaped in two half flowers. The pistil of the flowers features 0.60 carats of round cut blue sapphires. The flowers...
Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Turquoise, 18k Gold, White Gold
2018 Richard Chavez Jade, Turquoise and Gold Inlay Ring
By Richard Chavez
Located in New York, NY
An Edwards black jade, Siberian white jade, Morenci turquoise and 18 karat gold height inlay ring, by San Felipe Pueblo master goldsmith and lapidary Richard Chavez...
Jade, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Richard Chavez 2007 Black Jade Morenci Turquoise Coral Yellow Gold Ring
By Richard Chavez
Located in New York, NY
A black jade, coral, Morenci turquoise, and 14 karat yellow gold ring, by San Felipe Pueblo master goldsmith Richard Chavez, 2007. Chavez's unique style of jewelry carries echoes of ...
Coral, Jade, Turquoise, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2004 Richard Chavez Lapis Lazuli Coral Dolomite Turquoise Gold Ring
By Richard Chavez
Located in New York, NY
A lapis lazuli, coral, dolomite, turquoise and 14 karat gold ring, by Richard Chavez, master goldsmith & lapidary, San Felipe Pueblo, 2004. The ring is a size 8 and is stamped with ...
Coral, Lapis Lazuli, Turquoise, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Richard Chavez Turquoise Coral Gold Modernist Ring
By Richard Chavez
Located in New York, NY
A ring by master jeweler Richard Chavez, San Felipe Pueblo, New Mexico. Made in 14k gold, jade, coral and turquoise. Size 8.5.
Coral, Jade, 14k Gold