Native American 1950s Sandcast Coin Silver Mediterreanean Coral Ringsz9

An early Navajo sand cast ring. The mediterrean coral is bezel set in a coin silver ring, with an elongated shape and open shoulders. Sand cast silver has a fabulous organic texture and an appealing weight. The mediterrean coral shows a great deal of wear. In Native American beliefs, it is said that since coral comes from the ocean, it therefore is seen as a water spirit, or holds that essence Coral is highly-prized as a substance believed to be endowed with mysterious sacred properties.

It is a symbol of modesty, wisdom, happiness and immortality. Circa 1950s Ring size 9 face of the ring measures 1? ×15mm 3mmband Ring weight7.1grams no marks but tested as coin silver great addition to your collection?? The Sandcast Jewelry Method: Sandcast Native American is a style of Navajo jewelry was first created by silversmiths sometime between 1840 and 1860.

The basis of this process is a mold made by carving the desired design into a stone. Using this mold, a piece of jewelry is made belt buckle, bracelet, ring, etc. And becomes the "master sample" from which the subsequent sandcast pieces are made.

Sandcasting is a labor-intensive, hand process not to be mistaken with centrifugal and vacuum casting processes. Artisans using this method estimate that it takes approximately three days from start to finish to make a medium sized bracelet. Sandcasting evolved from casting using sandstone or tufa stone, a relatively soft stone created from compacted volcanic ash. Sandstone held up better, but the tufa was easier to carve.