Navajo Tufa Cast Silver Men’s Bracelet with Single Turquoise Cabochon

This men's silver tufa cast bracelet highlights a striking oval turquoise stone, set within a symmetrical design characteristic of traditional Diné jewelry. The slightly textured surface of the tufa casting emphasizes the handcrafted nature of the piece, while the turquoise at its center adds a vibrant touch of color. Designed to accommodate a larger wrist size, the bracelet offers both comfort and durability. It embodies timeless Diné craftsmanship, making it a bold yet refined choice for men with larger wrists.

This silver bracelet was made in what is referred to as a traditional sand cast or tufa cast procedure. Sand casting or Tufa casting are understood to be methods by which a jeweler pours molten silver in a pre-designed mold in a flat brick-like form. The bracelet formed in this manner is cast in the flat position. After cooling for a period, the flat casting is removed from the mold and heated to a temperature which allows it to be shaped in a curved form.

I think it appropriate to quote a paragraph from the book Indian Silver Volume Two by Dale Stuart King (p.19-20) which I think will clear up the use of the terms sand cast and tufa cast. To quote "Here let me digress to state I vehemently dislike the term ‘sand cast,' commonly used for hand-cast. Indians in their casting do not use sand, such as molders' sand. The nearest to it is the wet-concrete-and-oil mold which, it is said, is used by 90% of hand-casters today. Historically, it was rock-casting. The Indian carved his negative design into one or two matching slabs of tuff. Not tufa, as it has been called by so many authors. It was usually pumiceous tuff, or perhaps fine-grained sandstone."

Another author, John Adair in The Navajo and Pueblo Silversmiths, page 63 states, "This rock, which is erroneously called sandstone is tuff, a volcanic ash similar to pumice."

It is not likely that these clarifications will at all change the long-standing use of the terms sand casting or tufa casting.

Condition: excellent condition

Provenance: this Navajo Tufa Cast Silver Men's Bracelet with Single Turquoise Cabochon is from a collector in Colorado

References:

- King, Dale Stuart. Indian Silver Volume Two. Published by Dale Stuart King, Tucson, Arizona 1976

- Adair, John. The Navajo and Pueblo Silversmiths. University of Oklahoma Press, Norman. 1944