Melvin Tahe, Navajo - Sterling Silver | |||||||||||
| Melvin
Tahe, Navajo NBT725 - $145 plus s/h | ||||||||||
Paula says - "Three turquoise cabochons set in serrated bezels with beautiful silverdust background around the band. The hollow design of this bracelet makes it extremely lightweight and very sturdy - it will not bend out of shape and cannot be adjusted."
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SilverdustSilverdust, or Silver Dust, is a technique that Navajo silversmiths use to add texture, contrast and sparkle to the background of a piece. Sterling silver shavings or filings are applied to the surface of a sterling silver piece and then heated just enough for the particles to adhere - resulting in a textured background. The silverdust process is more complicated that this quick description and involves other ingredients and great skill with the heat. If stones are going to be added to a piece, they are added after all heating processes, such as silverdusting, are completed. |
About Silver100% solid silver won't tarnish but it is too soft to use for making jewelry - it could easily be scratched, dented and bent. Sterling silver has a small amount of one or more other metals usually copper, added to the silver. To be called sterling silver, the alloy must contain at least 92.5% pure silver. Sterling silver alloy is harder than pure silver but the added metals also can cause discoloration or tarnish. |
ABOUT TURQUOISE Turquoise is associated with the sky,
and bringing sky energy to earth. It is known as a master healer stone as it is
believed to help speed the healing process. It is also thought that turquoise
can help promote honest and clear communication from the heart. |
