Sand Cast and Tufa Cast Jewelry

Sand and tufa cast is one early technique still used by Native American silversmiths by creating silver castings in sand or stone molds. The artist carves a design into damp sand or tufa, a porous volcanic stone, and then secures a second flat stone on top to complete the mold. Using a crucible, the silversmith then pours melted silver into the mold through a carved channel. Air vents allow steam to escape, preventing air bubbles from forming in the cooling silver. After the silver has cooled and hardened, the artist removes the piece from the mold. Any silver not part of the overall design is cut off and the edges are filed smooth. All surfaces of the jewelry are ground and polished. Sometimes, artists add stones as a final accent.

Excerpt from A Guide to Indian Jewelry of the Southwest by Georgiana Kennedy Simpson

Navajo Silver Sand Cast Buckle - Ira Custer (#013) Navajo Silver Jewelry Sterling Silver Sandcast Buckle 1 1/2" tall x 2 1/8" wide $90.00	Sandcast Silver Navajo Bracelet with McGinnis Turquoise - Toby Henderson (#060) Navajo Silver Jewelry Sand Cast Sterling Silver Bracelet set with Natural McGinnis Turquoise Size - 6 5/8 Inner Circumference - 5" Opening - 1 5/8" $250.00	Navajo Silver Sand Cast Bisbee Turquoise Bracelet - Toby Henderson (#059) Navajo Silver and Turquoise Jewelry Sandcast Sterling Silver Bracelet Set with Natural Bisbee Turquoise Size - 6 3/8 Opening - 1 3/8" Inner Circumference - 5" $265.00
Navajo Sand Cast Silver Blue Diamond Turquoise Bracelet - Toby Henderson (#046) Navajo Silver and Turquoise Jewelry Sand Cast Sterling Silver Bracelet set with Natural Blue Diamond Turquoise Size - 5 3/4 Inner Circumference - 5 1/8" Opening - 1 5/8" $220.00	Sandcast Silver Navajo Bracelet with Burnham Turquoise - Darryl Begay (#01) Navajo Turquoise Jewelry Sterling Silver Bracelet set with Natural Burnham Turquoise "Harmony" Size - 6 11/16 Inner Circumference - 5 1/2" Opening - 1 3/16" Stone - 5/16" diameter $890.00	Navajo Tufa Cast Lady Pin/Pendant with #8 Turquoise - Darryl Begay (#3) Turquoise Jewelry #8 Turquoise set in Sterling Silver 2" wide x 3 7/8" tall Stone - 1/4" wide x 3/8" tall Navajo Jewelry $740.00

Artists who create Sand Cast and Tufa Cast Jewelry:

Darryl Begay

Ira Custer

Toby Henderson

Twin Rocks Trading Post · P.O. Box 330 · 913 E. Navajo Twins Dr · Bluff, UT 84512
Phone: 435-672-2341 · Toll-free 1-800-526-3448
Contact Twin Rocks Trading Post
Copyright © 2008 Twin Rocks Trading Post
Twin Rocks Home