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!
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.
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
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.
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.
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.”
Exactly! The listing says the seller does not take returns so I’m looking for examples of fakes that used the same hallmark to persuade her to accept the return.
@Cicadalady I mean no disrespect with my comment. And, I wish you luck in your pursuit. But, the seller may consider your position as “Buyer’s Remorse” and stand by their shop policy of “Do not accept returns”. Have you found examples of Calvin Begay’s jewelry with his hallmark? Please keep us posted and let us know the outcome.
You don’t have to find a match to a fake hallmark in order to make your case for a return. Let the seller know (politely) that unless they have definite proof it is by this artist, there’s a problem with it potentially being counterfeit, and thus illegal to have been sold to start with, per the Indian Arts and Crafts Act. You can link them to the law, at the US Department of Interior. Show them the tribalarteryblogspot.com thread on this known issue on “Calvin Begay” hallmarked jewelry. https://tribalartery.blogspot.com/2009/08/is-your-calvin-begay-really-calvin.html
In short, a no return policy can’t pertain to something falsely advertised and/or counterfeit.
We currently live about 15 minutes away from the historical Nevada gold rush town of Virginia City (Remember Bonanza?). We did some browsing after having lunch there several months ago. One Native American jewelry shop we stopped at carried mostly lower end pieces, including tons of White Buffalo, at ridiculous prices. I wish I had taken a picture of the multiple cases with what looked like low-end Calvin Begay style jewelry. The shop is owned by a Middle eastern family that has been in the business for years ( previously in Gallup). A shop employee came up to me and mentioned their displays of a “famous jeweler” that they sold exclusively. She also was pushing the fabulous “rare” White Buffalo. I was very good… I kept my mouth shut and said something like, oh, OK….and we left. They had tons of the typical inlay link bracelets that are commonly made in the Philippines. I should go back to look more closely at the jewelry, but when there are multiple very similar or identical pieces, it raises my “caution” or “BS” meter.
When I get time, I’ll go back and do some “undercover” work, get a few pictures, etc.
@Bmpdvm, you are so much better than me - don’t think I could have kept my mouth shut.
Even though it’s beautiful, I’m not particularly a fan of that detailed kind of inlay, but if I was, I feel like I would have a hard time buying any of his work unless it was from a really reputable store. Too bad that there are so many fakes.
But it’s good you did stay quiet; now you can do some undercover work
I pretty much feel the same way @Ziacat! Calvin’s work is not up my alley, but I certainly appreciate the workmanship! As I’ve said previously, selling White Buffalo as turquoise also bothers me! Virginia City is a cool old historic western town, but has pretty much a tourist trap. So I imagine they sell quite a bit of misrepresented jewelry.
it was all purchased since 2011, if that is useful info (all older was lost in a fire).
