From Nature to Wearable Art: The Tufa Sand Casting Process
Blocks of tufa stone, ready for carving. Photo courtesy Thunderbird Supply Company, Gallup, N.M.
The artist draws a design onto a block of tufa, a porous volcanic stone found in New Mexico and Arizona. This and the following photos, courtesy Perry Null Trading Company, Gallup, N.M.
The artist carves the design into the stone, adding a channel through which molten silver will later be poured.
The artist uses a torch to carburize the stone. A coating of carbon ensures that the silver will not stick to the mold.
The artist ties the carved block to a flat, uncarved block (not shown), pouring molten silver through the channel at the top.
The artist pulls the casting from the stone. It is ready to be cleaned, polished and set with stones, if desired.
The artist bends the bracelet to shape.
The final products, ready for wearing.