Harvey Begay

Harvey Begay (1939–2009) was one of the most innovative Navajo jewelers of the modern era, carrying forward the legacy of his father, master silversmith Kenneth Begay, while establishing a distinctive voice of his own. Raised in a household where both metalwork and weaving were central—his mother, Eleanor Begay, was an accomplished textile artist—Harvey grew up immersed in design. Many of the geometric forms and textile-inspired patterns that appear in his jewelry reflect this dual artistic inheritance.

Harvey apprenticed in his father’s shop while still in high school, learning Kenneth Begay’s precise, modernist approach to silverwork. After earning a Bachelor of Science degree from Arizona State University, he pursued his lifelong fascination with flying and served in the U.S. Navy as a combat flight officer. He continued his aviation career as a test pilot for McDonnell Douglas, flying the F-4 Phantom before eventually returning to the Navajo Nation in 1970. There, he worked alongside his father and also served in tribal government.

In 1972, Harvey Begay began a formative apprenticeship with renowned French jeweler Pierre Touraine, whose influence pushed him to refine his already meticulous craftsmanship. Under Touraine’s guidance, he expanded his skills in gemstone setting and lost-wax casting, and began experimenting with gold and diamonds. This period marked the emergence of his signature style—a sophisticated blend of traditional Navajo aesthetics, modern materials, and precise, architectural linework.

Begay’s jewelry ranges from classic silver and turquoise pieces rooted in Navajo tradition to bold combinations of gold, diamonds, and finely engineered textures. He often created visual interest by juxtaposing rough and polished surfaces or repeating a motif in rhythmic patterns. A lifelong hiker and fly fisherman, he drew artistic inspiration from the natural world as well as from Navajo basketry, pottery, and weaving. His craftsmanship also extended beyond jewelry into metalwork such as flatware, bowls, and other sculptural objects.

Throughout his career, Harvey Begay remained a perfectionist—constantly honing his technique, expanding his materials, and challenging the boundaries of Native American jewelry design. His work continues to be celebrated for its innovation, technical mastery, and seamless fusion of tradition and modernity. Harvey Begay passed away on March 2, 2009, at the age of 70.