Contemporary sterling silver cuff by noted Navajo silversmith Joe Piaso, Jr. The cuff has an exquisite 1 ½” x 1 ¾” green North Persia Turquoise set on four heavy gauge sterling silver ribs. The inside of the cuff is 5 3/4" with a 1 1/4" gap.
Joe Piaso, Jr. was born in New Mexico in 1957 and raised on the Navajo Reservation in New Mexico by his grandfather. As a child, he watched his grandfather make jewelry. He took silversmith classes in boarding school, and soon began selling his silverwork. Joe is known for selecting only the finest stones for his jewelry.
The region once known as Persia has remained one of the most important source of turquoise. Persian Turquoise comes from a number of mines in Iran. The stones from all mines show a great color variation, ranging from blue to dark green. The blue color of Persian Turquoise is enhanced when it is from an area that contains copper.
Persian Turquoise has been highly sought after in the Middle East for centuries. Many mines were worked close to old caravan routes. The mines were heavily worked beginning in the 10th century, but there is also evidence that some of the mines near the surface may have been worked much earlier than that.
About the artist
Joe Piaso Jr.
Joe Piaso Jr. was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico on December 10, 1957. He was raised on the Navajo reservation by his grandfather in Canoncito, New Mexico.
As a small boy, Joe watched his grandfather make jewelry and this is what first sparked his interest in the art. It wasn’t until Joe was of school age and was sent to Albuquerque Boarding School that he actually began to develop his abilities. He took classes to learn how to silversmith there from a Santa Domingo Indian who greatly inspired him to further his abilities. By the age of thirteen, Joe became skilled enough to make and sell his own jewelry. This gave him a lot of confidence to continue on developing his skills, as well as provided the benefit of extra spending money.
After leaving school, Joe met his wife, Melinda, and they had two children, Lyle and Opal. Lyle has taken an interest in silversmithing and Joe has had the great privilege teaching him the art. Joe now continues on into his third decade of silversmithing with his son, Lyle, working next to him to carry on the tradition.
