Derrick Gordon is a young Navajo silversmith whose work we've been buying since 2003. We've watched him progress over the last few years from being a smith who could competently execute stampwork, set stones and emulate the work of other master smiths. But at this point, he has become a "composer" in his own right, designing unique pieces of Traditional Revival jewelry marked by his particular vision and artistry. He always uses premium stones in his work which further enhance the beauty and value of his creations.

This over-sized pendant employs a long, slim, meandering stone of natural, untreated Candelaria turquoise from Nevada at its center. Beautifully curved, deep crimson pieces of Mediterranean red coral flow around the center stone. The natural shape of this branch coral further enhances the organic, living, coursing feel of this composition; the turquoise and coral seem to be in perpetual motion. The depth and richness of these two colors in combination is incomparable. The border of the pendant and the bale show Derrick's fondness for decorative complexity as the stampwork bites deeply into the Sterling and an appliquée rides atop the bale. The large bale has an opening which is approximately 3/8" across and this looks particularly nice on Erma Arviso's Sterling beads of 8 mm. diameter (this will not fit Erma's beads of 12 mm.).

Hallmarked "Derrick" and stamped "Sterling" on back.

Candelaria stone: 2 3/8" x 1/2"

Red Coral: 9 pieces ranging from 7/16" x 1/4" to 7/8" x 1/4"

Dimensions (excluding bale & fixed jump ring): 3 3/4" x 1 7/8"

Total hang (including bale & jump ring): 4 5/8"