Born in 1969, Darrel Cadman is the brother of well-known silversmith Andy Cadman and a half-brother of renowned smiths Gary and Sunshine Reeves. This group of relatively young smiths (35 to 40 years old) all learned much of their trade from David Reeves (Gary and Sunshine's full-brother who is now deceased). The Cadman brothers and the Reeves brothers, therefore, share a common element of apprenticeship and exhibit certain similarities in their work. Darrel has been smithing silver since 1992.

We gave Darrel Cadman several sets of well-matched graduated stones to make some traditional row bracelets for us. We had these made with heavy 12 gauge Sterling to give the cuffs heft and to show off Darrel's flawless stampwork. To stamp well using 12 gauge silver, the stamp must be struck twice and very precisely so that a double-image, or echo stamp is not produced. This group of bracelets was made with exceptionally pretty Royston turquoise, some Bisbee turquoise and Bisbee Cambellite.

Five graduated oval stones of creamy blue Royston turquoise are set on this scalloped-edge, graduated row bracelet. This very fine-grained stone is polished to a high luster and its beauty is enhanced by rich matrix in all the stones. The stones are set in 3/16" straight-edged bezels wrapped with twist wire. Raindrops are interspersed between the stone sets and large fanned scallop appliquées frame this set of stones. This is very fine natural, untreated turquoise from the Royston Mining District of Nevada.

An example of Darrel's work is pictured on page 48 of American Indian Jewelry I: 1,200 Artist Biographies by Gregory Schaaf (photo provided by Chacodog.com). Hallmarked "D. Cadman" with a ram's head and stamped "Sterling" inside.

Stones: center 1 1/16" x 11/16"; l. & r. 13/16" x 7/16"; far l. & far r. 11/16" x 3/8"

Width at center stone: 1 3/16"

Uniform width of cuff: 1"

Terminal to terminal: 5 3/4"           Gap: 1 1/4"

Total inside circumference (including gap): 7"