Silver
Dust, or Silverdust, 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 first.
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