Adobe Gallery Blog
Navajo Tufa Cast Sterling Silver and Turquoise Letter Opener - 25867
Category: Jewelry | Posted by | Sat, Jul 2nd 2016, 1:26pm
Navajo silversmiths crafted jewelry and other silver objects to appeal to the tastes of the traveling adventurer. A popular non-jewelry item was the letter opener.
There are various methods of producing silver objects. One method is sand casting or, more properly, tufa casting. A mold was made out of tufa and molten silver was then poured into the mold. After the silver cooled, the piece was taken out and polished. Finally, finishing touches, such as the addition of stones and stamp work, were added.