Meet the Haleys

Ruby Haley grew up near Gallup, New Mexico in the community of Pinedale. She was taught the art of making beads from her grandmother, Annie Bahe Begay. Annie Bahe was a Navajo weaver and she taught Ruby the art at the tender age of six years old.  Ruby is the only grandchild who kept her grandparents’ bead making tradition going.  Ruby is the fourth generation of master bead makers, 

Her daughters, Victoria and Veltenia, and her son, Ben, are now master bead makers in their own right. This makes five generations of Navajo pearl makers. They are the fifth generation. Ruby’s granddaughters, Faith and Alliyah, are the sixth generation to continue this art. These girls are accomplished and they are still only in high school. All of her grandchildren are quite remarkable bead makers. 

The Haley family uses very traditional methods for crafting their silver bead necklaces. After dapping them (making them curved), they grind the silver beads on a rock and strings them on a binder wire. After stringing the beads, the family uses Borax to clean them and then they sand all the edges. Once the necklace is completed, she uses a polishing wheel to give each silver necklace its bright appearance. 

After making their jewelry the Haley family burns sage and prays over each piece.  They pray health, happiness and blessing on whomever wears their beads. There is nothing quite as powerful and a masterfully crafted, handmade Navajo Pearl necklace.  Especially one that has been blessed and prayed over by the artists.