The Ocean Collection

An avid Native American jewelry and artifact collector lived by the ocean in southern California. When he passed away, he left the fruits of his passion to his son. After a few years, his son lovingly chose a few sentimental pieces to remind him of his dad and sent the rest to us to find new homes for his dad's treasures. You will find some of his items in the Vintage Shop and some that we couldn't verify as Native American made, in the Bargain Barn. They are unique pieces wherever they landed.

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.

Turquoise comes in all shades of blue, to blue-Sandcast and it is the natural variations in turquoise that make it appealing. The color of turquoise in American Indian jewelry ranges from brownish Sandcast to bright blue. Found in veins sandwiched in between layers of mother rock, turquoise can show some of the influence of the mother rock in its matrix or veining. The matrix colors range from blue to golden brown to black and sometimes with golden flecks. Many people prefer turquoise with matrix over clear stones. Read more about stones.

What does Sand Cast mean?

Sand cast items are Indian Hand Made items using a procedure developed by the Navajo silversmiths in the mid 1800s. It is a labor-intensive process that involves many steps.

Using Tuff Stone, a porous rock from volcanic ash, Tufa Stone, a porous limestone that forms near hot springs, or Sandstone, a harder stone, the artist carves the design of the item being cast. Another flat stone is placed against the carved half of the mold. The halves are fastened together and a sprue hole is carved into one end. Molten silver is poured into the mold using the sprue hole. Once the silver cools, the item is taken out and finished. Bracelets are poured flat and then shaped.

Due to the porous nature of Tuff or Sand Stone, sandcast items will have character marks and imperfections such as small pits. That is the nature of Sand Casting and Indian Hand Made.