Rare #8 Turquoise Tufa Cast Ring - Size 7

8 Turquoise has not been mined for many years, making this a very rare stone of high quality. Award-winning Yaqui jeweler Michael Horse set the stone in a 14kt gold bezel on a tufa cast band (more about tufa cast jewelry below). He cut the top of the ring in a cloud design giving it a regal look. Michael inscribed his signature inside the band. More about Michael Horse below.

Size: 7 - Stone setting .5" H x .375" W - Top of band .75" Bottom of band .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.