$480.00
Navajo tufa cast jewelry carries a character that cannot be duplicated by machine work. Each piece begins with hand-carved volcanic tufa stone, carefully selected by the artist for its ability to hold detailed designs while surviving the heat of molten silver.
Kingman Turquoise | Sterling Silver
Navajo tufa cast jewelry carries a character that cannot be duplicated by machine work. Each piece begins with hand-carved volcanic tufa stone, carefully selected by the artist for its ability to hold detailed designs while surviving the heat of molten silver. Navajo silversmith Lester James is especially particular about the tufa he uses, preferring softer stone traditionally gathered near Hopi land for its texture and carving quality.
This handcrafted sterling silver cuff showcases the natural beauty of the tufa casting process. The bracelet features a softly textured surface created directly from the tufa mold, giving the silver a raw organic finish that feels deeply connected to the Southwestern landscape.
Running through the center is a clean channel inlay of vintage Kingman turquoise. Lester uses richly colored stones with deep blue tones, natural spiderweb matrix, and subtle shifts in color that make every bracelet unique. The rectangular inlay pattern creates a modern linear feel while still honoring classic Navajo design traditions.
The slim profile makes this cuff versatile enough for daily wear or stacking with other silver bracelets, while the rustic tufa texture gives it a bold handcrafted presence. Each bracelet Lester creates varies slightly in fit, stone pattern, and finish, ensuring no two are exactly alike.
Bracelet Width – 7/16″
Bracelet Opening – 1 1/4″
Wrist Size – 6 1/2″
Weight – 1.70 ozt
1 in stock
Navajo artist Lester James didn't wait long to start his jewelry making career. He graduated from high school and went to work for Anasazi Traders, a jewelry manufacturer in Gallup, doing simple repairs.
