Goid morning all, I am going to take advantage of your collective wisdom once again, thank you in advance! I am helping liquidate my sister’s NA collection as she has a medical situation. I’ve got 2 necklaces and 2 pairs of earrings, signed Calvin Begay. I know there’s ambiguity around things signed with his name, I’m trying to know what I have before I sell it, as much as possible 
it was all purchased since 2011, if that is useful info (all older was lost in a fire).
I’ve included photos, and the hallmarks which vary somewhat. ALL feedback so appreciated!
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This name is associated with problematic and illegal use of the hallmark on non-Native material (and non-Calvin work). As always, microinlay in particular is a kind of jewelry widely faked and very commonly Asian import in orgian.
There are many threads online about the legal suits, and a thread here on the forum that will be of interest. In short, he made jewelry but his hallmark was illegally faked on or applied to other material.
https://legalnewsline.com/stories/510519779-new-mexico-ag-targets-fake-native-american-jewelry
other Google search
https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=calvin+begay+sued
https://forum.turquoisepeople.com/t/calvin-begay-late-1990s-14k-gold-and-opal-bracelet/12226/7
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Thanks for the links, I know there are a lot of issues, with microinlay and his name in particular. I’ve also seen imports being offered by “reliable” sources, so that much more difficult. I’d like to get the best but fair price for these items for my sister
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Calvin Begay is very popular and collectible…hence the possibility of fakes. Checking out prices on EBay or doing google search on each items will tell you a lot. Usually, if signed Calvin Begay, it is work by the artist. many times it’s signed just Calvin and I think someone else did the work but he oversaw it. He also does/did work for TSF…Touch of Santa Fe.
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It’s complicated in the resale environment. For ex., TSF was sued to stop selling items with his hallmark, without Begay’s permission, on work done by others.
https://tribalartery.blogspot.com/2009/08/is-your-calvin-begay-really-calvin.html
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Oh interesting. I did not know that. I have seen a number of items with Calvin TSF. What a shame…. “For a short interim period, there were pieces that were designed by Calvin but did not carry his signature. But it was a very limited number. It is identified by the precision of the inlay. Work done after Calvin left is definitely inferior.”
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