Description

Blue Ridge Turquoise Ring sz 9.5 ~ Bennie Ration

This gorgeous ring was hand made by Noted Navajo Artist Bennie Ration, bio and picture below. I'm so lucky to have watched this artist work! The pictures don't do justice to this quality piece.

This ring is a size 9 1/2. It has a Blue Ridge Turquoise stone that's a bright darker sky blue with bits of almost red matrix. The stone sets in a smooth silver bezel and is surrounded by fine twisted silver wire in the classic rope design. The border is lovely with deep notched silver detailing.

weight: 13.5 grams on my scale.
It's marked sterling and signed Bennie Ration with his eagle claw hallmark. It measures 1 1/4" tall by 1 1/8" at it's widest point. It has sturdy split shank band. I placed a quarter there for scale.

Bennie was born in March of 1955, on the Canoncito Navajo Reservation in New Mexico to Francis and John Ration. His father, who had been a silversmith since childhood, taught Bennie the art of silversmithing at the young age of eleven. His father told him that no mater what else he did with his life he would always have silversmithing to fall back on. Throughout his childhood Bennie was a talented artist. After he graduated from high school he enrolled in a one-year program at U.S. Silkscreen and Graphics School in Scottsdale, Arizona. Upon completion of the course he worked for three years as a silkscreen and graphic designer.

In 1978 he did “fall back” on the art of silversmithing. With a look and style that he had developed as a graphic designer, he began making three-dimensional figures in silver. His many wearable art designs include Kachina figures, Southwestern animals, feathers and Navajo inspired geometric patterns. When asked how he comes up with his designs he says, “I remember what I see and make pieces in my mind”

Sure to make a Fine addition to any collection, or a great gift!

Please note: Pictures are enlarged to show detail, remember everything looks bigger on line :)