View Full Size Image of Snowflake Pin Set with 50 Blue Gem Turquoise Stones, Jewelry by Frank Dishta
Fabrication of this beautiful "snowflake" pin was accomplished with sheet and wire, hand-mill rolled and drawn from sterling ingot. Each of the 40 round and 10 tear drop shaped bezels were individually soldered before being assembled, then soldered together to create the 10 point radiant pattern.
This openwork cluster, with arches of fine wire joining each inlaid tip, has a foundation of sterling silver sheet, so finely cut and finished to the decorative feature, that it is virtually invisible.
Highest quality turquoise, from the Blue Gem mine, was carefully cut to fit each tear drop and round bezel. Once in place, the stones were surface cut and polished to bezel height.
| Description | Fabrication of this beautiful "snowflake" pin was accomplished with sheet and wire, hand-mill rolled and drawn from sterling ingot. Each of the 40 round and 10 tear drop shaped bezels were individually soldered before being assembled, then soldered together to create the 10 point radiant pattern. This openwork cluster, with arches of fine wire joining each inlaid tip, has a foundation of sterling silver sheet, so finely cut and finished to the decorative feature, that it is virtually invisible. Highest quality turquoise, from the Blue Gem mine, was carefully cut to fit each tear drop and round bezel. Once in place, the stones were surface cut and polished to bezel height. |
|---|---|
| About the Artist | Frank Dishta, of Zuni Pueblo, was born in 1902. A jeweler since 1924, he developed a unique style of flush channel inlay, using sterling silver and Lone Mountain turquoise. His work is in the permanent collection of the Heard Museum and other prestigious institutions. |
| Culture | American Indian, Zuni |
| Medium | Ingot sterling silver and natural Blue Gem turquoise |
| Troy ounces | .18 troy ounces |
| Size | 1 3/8" diameter |
| Signed | No mark of any kind. Frank had no stamp. |
| Date of creation | 1930's |
| Condition | Excellent |
| Description | Frank Dishta created the style that became his signature. |
| Provenance | An Jo |
| Gram weight | 5.0 grams |