Navajo Tufa Sand Cast Silver and Turquoise Belt Buckle By Andrew Red Horse

Late 20th Century

3.625" L x 2" H + 1.625" Bar

Hand Crafted from Sand Cast Silver of an Apache Gahn Dancer Around a Fire Motif with 5 Blue Turquoise Stones and Small Colored Inset Gemstones "ARIZ"

In Very Good Condition

Andrew Red Horse (sometimes listed as Andrew Redhorse Alvarez) is a Native American silversmith known for tufa cast sterling silver jewelry, including cuffs, pendants, and other items featuring turquoise (e.g., Kingman turquoise cabochons). While exact matches for a belt buckle by him aren't prominently documented in current online listings or galleries, his work aligns with this style—contemporary tufa cast pieces with clean designs and natural stone accents. Similar vintage or artisan tufa cast silver and turquoise belt buckles by Navajo makers often feature central turquoise stones, stamped or textured borders, and sizes around 3–4 inches wide, fitting 1–1.5 inch belts.

Tufa casting (also called sand casting or tufa stone casting) is a historic Southwestern Native American silversmithing method, especially among Navajo artisans since the mid-1800s. It involves carving a design into soft tufa stone (a porous volcanic ash material) to create a mold, then pouring molten sterling silver into it. The result is a bold, textured, organic-looking piece with characteristic rough, matte surfaces, flow marks, or subtle irregularities from the casting process. Turquoise is often inset as a cabochon for contrast and cultural significance.