Richard Chavez Lapis Coral Turquoise and Yellow Gold Ring 1997
About the Item
- Creator:
- Ring Size:7 US, Not Resizable
- Metal:
- Stone:
- Stone Cut:
- Weight:11 g
- Style:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1997
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:
Richard Chavez
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: New York, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Richard Chavez Black Jade, Coral, Turquoise, Yellow Gold Ring 1998By Richard ChavezLocated in New York, NYA 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...Category
1990s Native American Band Rings
MaterialsCoral, Jade, Turquoise, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Charles Loloma Lapis Coral Turquoise Gold Shield Ring circa 1970By Charles LolomaLocated in New York, NYA lapis lazuli, coral, turquoise, wood and 14 karat gold shield ring, by Charles Loloma, c. 1970. Vintage jewelry. Signed Loloma, stamped 14k. Ring size 5. Similar examples are shown in the excellent book "Loloma: Beauty is His Name"by Martha Hopkins Streuver, 2005. This is a very finely made, elegant, Loloma shield ring using the highest-quality stones; a vintage jewel in excellent condition, and representative of the great artist jeweler Loloma's best work. The proportion of metal to stone is balanced and the color scheme is harmonious. The shield rings in gold have become hard to find. And the prices for the best jewelry by this transformative jeweler rise even further as witnessed by several recent auctions. This ring is a Loloma beauty, sits comfortably on the finger, and is an investment piece. Hopi artist Charles Loloma was one of the most influential 20th-century modernist jewelers. He was a Renaissance man of the times - a potter, a painter, a muralist, a poet, and a religious ceremonial leader. Living high on the Hopi mesas, he broke multiple imposed prohibitions on Native American jewelers and despite being excluded in his early years from important shows because his jewelry was not Ïndian enough" he simply continued working and changed the arc of his peoples' jewelry making and universal jewelry culture forever. (Loloma told his doubters, it was sufficient that he was an Indian for his jewelry to be considered Indian jewelry.) Through his modernist influence on jewelry, he transformed the design and lapidary techniques - height inlay, styles of shanks and bezel settings, and the use of new materials - lapis lazuli, wood, gold - in much of southwestern Native American jewelry for generations to come, He introduced this new form of beauty to the broader world. Loloma's pieces can be found in almost all important museums and private collections. Frank Lloyd Wright was a client. Mahnaz Collection carries the finest Loloma jewelry (and select artworks) as well as the jewel works of his only two acknowledged proteges - his niece Verma Nequetewa aka Sonwai, and Eveli Sabatie.Category
Vintage 1970s American Native American Cocktail Rings
MaterialsTurquoise, Lapis Lazuli, Coral, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
- Richard Chavez Lapis Lazuli Coral Turquoise and Sterling Silver Cuff 1990By Richard ChavezLocated in New York, NYA lapis lazuli, coral, turquoise and sterling silver cuff, by Richard Chavez, San Felipe Pueblo, 1990. Stamped with maker's mark. This cuff is 1.25" wide. ...Category
1990s Native American Cuff Bracelets
MaterialsCoral, Lapis Lazuli, Turquoise, Sterling Silver
- Richard Chavez Fossilized Dinosaur Bone, Turquoise Coral and Silver Cuff 2016By Richard ChavezLocated in New York, NYA fossilized dinosaur bone, coral, turquoise and sterling silver cuff, by Richard Chavez (San Felipe Pueblo), 2016. Stamped with maker's mark, 925. This cu...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Native American Cuff Bracelets
MaterialsCoral, Turquoise, Sterling Silver
- Othmar Zschaler Lapis Lazuli and Gold Modernist RingLocated in New York, NYA one-of-a-kind lapis lazuli and 18 karat gold ring, by Othmar Zschaler (Swiss, b. 1930). Signed OZ, 750. Ring size 6. Internationally-awarded jewele...Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss Modernist Cocktail Rings
MaterialsLapis Lazuli, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Jean Després Lapis Lazuli and Gold Ring circa 1940By Jean DespresLocated in New York, NYA remarkablly cut and shaped lapis lazuli hard stone and 18 karat gold ring by Jean Després, c. 1940. Stamped with maker's mark & French assay marks. Ring size 6. This ring can be re...Category
Vintage 1940s French Modernist Cocktail Rings
MaterialsLapis Lazuli, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Angelskin Coral Turquoise Lapis and Diamond Gold Ring Estate Fine JewelryLocated in Montreal, QCSimply Beautiful! Finely detailed Angelskin Coral, Lapis Lazuli, Turquoise and Diamond Cocktail Ring. Centering a Hand set 10 Carat Angelskin Coral, surrounded by Lapis, Turquoise a...Category
Mid-20th Century Modernist Cocktail Rings
MaterialsTurquoise, Lapis Lazuli, Diamond, Coral, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
- Black Coral Yellow Gold RingLocated in Dallas, TXYou don't have to be a lover of coral to enjoy this beautiful ring!Category
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings
MaterialsCoral, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Van Cleef and Arpels Coral and Lapis Ring SetBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYEach ring set set with one carved fluted coral or carved fluted lapis lazuli set with a diamond set in the center 18 yellow gold. Signed and numbered VCA Ring Sizes: 6Category
Vintage 1970s French Retro Cocktail Rings
MaterialsCoral, Diamond, Lapis Lazuli
- Retro Fluted Coral and 14K Yellow Gold RingLocated in Wheaton, ILThis stunning retro coral and 14k yellow gold ring is set with one large fluted pale coral gem set into a heavy 14k yellow gold ring mount. Rin...Category
Mid-20th Century Retro Cocktail Rings
MaterialsCoral, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Daniel Macchiarini Lapis Turquoise Silver Gold San Francisco Modern Dot RingLocated in Palm Springs, CAA turquoise, lapis, sterling and 14k gold ring designed by Daniel Macchiarini of San Francisco, California. Shank has cross hatching detail and the bezel is quite unique with a cut ...Category
2010s American Artisan Cocktail Rings
MaterialsTurquoise, Lapis Lazuli, 14k Gold, Silver, Gold, Sterling Silver
- Oval Lapis Lazuli Band Ring 14k Yellow GoldLocated in Honolulu, HIRing Specifications: Metal: 14k Yellow Gold Total Weight: 2.5 Grams Gemstone: Lapis Lazuli Lapis Lazuli Measurements: ~6.6 mm x 4.9 mm x 2.5 mm Ring Size: 6.75 (resizable) Sta...Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Cocktail Rings
MaterialsLapis Lazuli, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
These Jean Schlumberger for Tiffany & Co. Earrings Are Just the Right Amount of Bold
Someone wanted to “modernize” the Jean Schlumberger for Tiffany & Co. masterworks, but Mahnaz Collection came to their rescue. Here, the dealer explains precisely why they’re such an extraordinary find.
Celebrate 70 Years of Visionary Female Jewelry Designers
Influential — and highly collectible — women jewelers from 1950 to the present day are the focus of a new exhibit at Mahnaz Collection’s NYC gallery.