Vintage Navajo Pin of Heavy Sandcast Silver Set With Natural Turquoise

You'll find find contemporary Navajo sand cast silver pins today based on the design of this vintage piece.

This older one is nice heavy silver and it's set with a domed natural turquoise stone. It was handmade by an artist in a lengthy traditional process that begins with a jeweler sourcing a block of sandstone. Back in the day, silversmiths would often cut the block of sandstone from a secret spot. The jeweler would then cut the sandstone in half and carve a design on the inside of the sandstone. With the design carved on one or both halves of the sandstone, the two halves are put back together and they'll become the mold into which the jeweler pours molten silver. Once the molten silver is hardened, the jeweler removes the piece of silver and files away any silver lines left from the pour. 

This beautiful piece that showcases old style technique can be worn on your clothing, of course, but don't neglect to wear it in more novel ways like on a handbag or even pinned to a suede boot. Once you do that, even the priciest handbag company has nothing on you!

The pin measures 2 7/8" x 1 1/8"

• Vintage Navajo sandcast silver pin
• Set with domed natural turquoise stone
• Measures 2 7/8" x 1 1/8"
• Unsigned