Navajo Sand Cast cuff bracelet with High Grade Natural Kingman Turquoise Setting

c. 1960

5" + 1.5" gap x 1 3/8" (note, we can close this gap a bit on request)

Beautiful natural Kingman, AZ turqoise with pyrite matrix. 

Sterling Silver and Turquoise

Navajo sand casting is a traditional jewelry-making technique used by Navajo artisans to create silver and sometimes gold pieces, such as pendants, belt buckles, bolo ties, and rings. Developed in the mid-19th century after Navajos learned silversmithing from Mexican artisans, it became a hallmark of Navajo craftsmanship, blending cultural motifs with technical skill.

Process:

1. Mold Creation: A two-part mold is carved from soft, fine-grained materials like volcanic tuff, sandstone, or modern substitutes (e.g., compressed sand). The artisan carves intricate designs—often featuring traditional Navajo symbols like squash blossoms, thunderbirds, or geometric patterns—into one or both halves of the mold.
2. Preparation: The mold halves are clamped together, leaving a small opening (sprue) for pouring metal. The mold is dusted with a release agent (like talc) to prevent sticking.
3. Metal Pouring: Molten silver (or occasionally gold) is melted in a crucible, often using a forge or torch, and poured into the mold through the sprue. The metal fills the carved design, capturing its details.
4. Cooling and Removal: Once the metal cools and solidifies, the mold is opened, and the rough casting is removed. The sprue is cut off, and excess metal is trimmed.
5. Finishing: The piece is filed, sanded, and polished to smooth edges and enhance shine. Artisans may add embellishments like stamped designs, stone inlays (e.g., turquoise), or oxidation for contrast.

Characteristics:

• Texture and Look: Sand-cast jewelry often has a slightly textured, organic appearance due to the mold’s natural material, distinguishing it from machine-made pieces. The designs are bold and deeply etched, reflecting Navajo aesthetics.
• Uniqueness: Each piece is unique, as molds wear down after a few uses, requiring new carvings. Some molds are single-use, making certain pieces one-of-a-kind.
• Cultural Significance: Designs often carry symbolic meaning, such as protection, fertility, or harmony, rooted in Navajo cosmology and storytelling.

Historical Context:

• Sand casting emerged after 1868, when Navajos returned to their homeland from internment at Bosque Redondo and began adapting silversmithing for trade and cultural expression.
• Early artisans like Atsidi Sani pioneered the technique, using tools acquired from Mexican silversmiths and later American traders.
• By the 20th century, sand casting became a staple of Navajo jewelry, with artisans like Kenneth Begay and Mark Chee refining the craft, often combining it with stone inlay or stamping.

Modern Use:

• While traditional methods persist, some contemporary Navajo jewelers use modern tools like electric torches or pre-made molds for efficiency.
• Sand-cast pieces remain highly valued in Native American art markets, prized for their authenticity and craftsmanship. Collectors seek works by renowned smiths, identifiable by hallmarks (e.g., initials or symbols).

Navajo sand casting is celebrated for its blend of artistry, tradition, and individuality, embodying the resilience and creativity of Navajo culture.