Navajo Naja with Turquoise Pendant

Navajo handmade using the tufa cast process, this sweet naja has a turquoise stone on each side of the bottom. It has a loop at the top for a chain or to be strung on beads. More about the process of making tufa cast jewelry below - it is quite a process! Size: 2.25" H x 1.375" W Tufa Jewelry: Tufa is a volcanic stone which can be as dense as chalk which has an organic texture. The first thing a jeweler does is examine a piece of tufa for any tiny fractures.  If it looks good, the tufa is cut in half and, if there is a design, it is carved into the tufa.   There is a pour hole carved into the top and several narrow vents carved into each side.  The two pieces are then bound together tightly and molten silver or gold is poured through the hole at the top.  If there are any cracks, the tufa explodes when the metal is poured in and the process has to begin again.