JSW1016 Tufa Cast Buckle

Sterling silver tufa cast buckle by Navajo silversmith Sammie Kescoli Begay. The 3” x 2 1/2” buckle has a sunburst pattern highlighting a 7/8” x 5/8” green turquoise stone. Made for a 1 1/2" belt.

Tufa casting is a technique of pouring molten silver into a tufa stone mold and letting it harden into a given form.  The mold is only used once; therefore each item is an original piece.

Navajo silversmith Sammie Kescoli Begay produces some of the most beautiful traditional and deeply stamped sterling silver jewelry to be found in Navajoland. Using heavy gauge ingot silver combined quality gem grade turquoise, his pieces are unique in both quality and style. He approaches each piece he creates with the eye of a true perfectionist. Sammie was one of the early silversmiths for Shades of the West in Scottsdale, Arizona.