Vintage sand cast Bisbee turquoise bracelet

1970's Navajo cuff bracelet. This style of jewelry was traditional for this time period and referred to as the "sand cast" method.The bracelet measures approximately 1" at its widest point and tapers to 3/8". The Bisbee stone measures 5/8" x 5/8" and is mounting high in the setting. It has as inside measurement of 5-1/4" with a 1-1/4" opening which will fit a 6-1/2" wrist of larger. 

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 piece of jewelry. 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.