Lonn Parker Turquoise Bracelet Collection page 2

Lonnie Parker
Tufa Cast Silver Turquoise Bracelet Collection

Lonnie Parker Tufa Cast Turquoise Cuff Bracelet

Tufa Cast Bracelets

Tufa cast or tufa casting means that a design
is carved into a Tufa stone. Tufa stone is a form of sandstone.

The design must be carved into the tufa in the mirror image
of what the artist wants the finished jewelry to look like. When
the carving is finished, molten metal is poured into the
design. When the silver is cool the hardened piece is
pulled from the cast.

This process (at best) allows for only 2 or 3 pieces to be made
before the mold losses its detail and is useless. Usually, one
mold produces only one piece of jewelry.

It is important to note that this process is entirely different
(and much more difficult and labor intensive) then investment
or spin casting. Investment casting is a mechanical process
that will produce an infinite number of identical castings.

Investment casting is a relatively new process that is
used to mass produce.

Tufa casting is an ancient process that predates
all others currently seen.

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The Lonn and Lonnie Parker pieces seen below are extraordinary
examples of this art form. The tufa mold was painstakingly carved.
Each silver piece pulled from the mold was then carefully detailed
(removing any left over slag from the casting), beautifully polished
to a satin finish and then a fine antique patina was applied.

It is important to note too, the fine hammer work you see is from
handmade dies that are over 100 years old. The dies are steel,
usually made from old railroad spikes.

Dies like this are family heirlooms. These dies belonged
to Lonnie's Grandfather, Esitty Chischilly. He was a Navajo
known as "Curly Hair Medicine man".

These are very high quality examples of traditional Tufa casting.
The silver has been adorned with natural, gem turquoise,
some from closed Southwestern mines.