Rare Godber's Turquoise Ring - Size 9

Godber's turquoise is one of the hardest of turquoise stones and is mined in Nevada. This ring was made by award-winning jeweler Michael Horse. He set the stone in a sawtooth bezel and the band is tufa cast - more about the process of making tufa cast jewelry and Michael Horse below. Michael inscribed his name on the back of the stone setting.

Size: 9 - Stone setting .75" x .5" 

Michael Horse is an award-winning Yaqui jeweler who uses high quality stones in his work including natural high-grade turquoise, coral, lapis and more.  He is most well-known for the intricate katsinas he fabricates in his studio, and he is a master tufa carver.  He is also an award-winning ledger painter and actor with many roles in television and film.  Many people recognize him from his role as Deputy Hawk in the ground breaking Twin Peaks television series.

Tufa Cast 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 microscopic cracks, the tufa explodes when the metal is poured in and the process has to begin again.