Raymond Yazzie

Even as a child, Raymond Yazzie knew he wanted to be a silversmith. He was born in 1959, one of 13 children, to Elsie and Chee Yazzie also silversmiths. His brother Lee and his sister Mary Marie Lincoln also went on to become well respected silversmiths.

When he was about 14 years old, Raymond collaborated with his brother Lee on the inlay of a concha belt which received Best of Show at the Gallup Inter-tribal Ceremonials. It launched his career.

Raymond Yazzie is best known for his intricate domed inlay work, with tiny pieces of stone and gold bits fitted perfectly into a mosaic of color and light, balanced and each piece enhancing the shapes and colors of the others.

The recipient of numerous coveted awards over the years, he was most recently awarded the prestigious "Best of Class" in jewelry at the 2010 Heard Museum Indian Market in Phoenix, Arizona. No serious collection of Native American jewelry is complete without a piece by Raymond Yazzie.