Alvin Yellowhorse (1968-present)

Alvin Yellowhorse is a young man with an impressive family background.  He is the great-great-grandson of Hosteen Bele-sle-zo; great-grandson of Cuthair Yellowhorse & Tahsbah from Klagetoh & Wide Ruins; great-grandson of William Frank Beasley & Anna Beasley; paternal grandson of Anna Marie Tahy, a weaver, & Arthur David Beasley, a lapidarist; and son of Frank Yellowhorse, his mentor, and Elsie Yellowhorse.

Alvin learned the silversmithing trade at an early age from his father and later mastered the techniques of cutting the small turquoise and other colorful stones into precise little pieces.  Some portray Navajo figures, Southwest landscapes and starscapes.  Alvin says his designs are inspired to some extent by prehistoric drawings.  He uses a variety of shades of turquoise and other stones to achieve the scene he envisions. Schaaf 2013, 393