Brooch & Pendant: Ernest Thomas Bilagody Dry Creek Turquoise Butterfly
Brooch & Pendant: Ernest Thomas Bilagody Dry Creek Turquoise Butterfly
Ernest Thomas Bilagody has made a name for himself in the silversmithing community for having striking, clean design elements that are bold and contemporary. He has a following of collectors who source his insect pieces that are often brooch/pendant combos and embody a more passive esthetic. These designs have a timeless traditional look and feel to the iconography and add a kiss of craft that always catches an eye of appreciation. This butterfly is a beautiful example of this style of work and Bilagody decided to set it with a rare piece of Dry Creek turquoise.
I love the opportunity to bring in niche designs from sought after artisans and when they touch it with a rare stone, it is very difficult to not bring home.
This is such sweet piece.
Hallmark: Sterling | ETB JR.
Measurements: 2 x 1.5" | 14 g
The Dry Creek mine, which has also been known as the Godber and Burnham mine, and now famous as the Dry Creek Mine, is located northeast of Austin, Nevada. The Dry Creek mine has yielded both a pale blue and a cream white Turquoise, but all does have a tint of blue. The stark what material was found to be Aluminite. The unusual white to light blue Turquoise is very hard. The color is due to a preponderance of aluminum rather than copper in the stone's chemistry. The matrix is typically light golden or brown-gray to gray-black. White turquoise, as it is called on the street, is beautiful alone in a piece of jewelry and is especially striking when juxtaposed with other colors of turquoise in a single gold or silver jewelry creation. Since their has been a lot of debate about White Turquoise, one should be clear that most feel there is no such thing as scientifical White Turquoise, it is more of street slang used to describe very pale Turquoise. Some unknowing Gallery owners and websites also Refer to Dry Creek Turquoise as "Sacred Buffalo", there is debate as to whether it was named this by the store owners and artists or by the Woods who owned the mine since 1999. Even though the "Sacred Buffalo Turquoise" name is commonly used for this material, expercts consider this name to be street slang for the material and there may be a seperate mine named Sacred Buffalo, but we have never seen it for sale or heard of such a mine from professionals in the business. We have only heard "hear say" about it. We have found most jewelers, store owners, and consumers are referring to Dry Creek Turquoise when they say "Sacred Buffalo Turquoise”. -Durango Silver Co.
Navajo silversmith Ernest Thomas Bilagody (ETB) was born in Tuba City, Arizona to the Red House Big Water Clan and has been immersed in his trade for the better part of his life. His grandparents are from the Around the House Clan and the Bitter Water Clan. This craftsman was guided by his mother early on and continued those traditions into his adult years. He worked as a silversmith for over 35 years, since the mid 1970’s, until his passing in 2014.
His mother started him out with buffing the earrings she made. From there she gave him other duties, such as soldering things for her. With this beginning, Ernest started making his own jewelry, and he did not ever look back. He continued those traditions into his adult years.
Ernest worked out of his own home, and worked for various traders. Along the way he met many other silver and goldsmiths, and he always enjoyed sharing stories about the metals, turquoises and other materials they use.
-Bischoff’s Gallery
As per standard, very early vintage is not polished unless requested. Silver will naturally polish the more that it is worn.
All jewelry is sold as is & is non-refundable.
All pieces are selected for their high quality condition & uniqueness.
