David Tune

David Tune is an award-winning Creek, Navajo, Hopi jeweler.  He inlaid this ring with  natural red coral, fossilized walrus ivory, sugilite, and Sleeping Beauty turquoise.  The setting has detailed cut-outs all around the edge, and the band is tufa cast (see below). 

Size: 7.5, can be adjusted half a size up or down.  Setting is 1' H x 0.4375 W

Tufa Jewelry: Tufa is a volcanic stone which can be as dense as chalk which has an organic texture. The first thing a jeweler does is examine a piece of tufa for any tiny fractures.  If it looks good, the tufa is cut in half and, if there is a design, it is carved into the tufa.   There is a pour hole carved into the top and several narrow vents carved into each side.  The two pieces are then bound together tightly and molten silver or gold is poured through the hole at the top.  If there are any microscopic cracks, the tufa explodes when the metal is poured in and the process has to begin again. 

David Tune is an award-winning Creek, Navajo, Hopi jeweler.  We love David's jewelry that resemble spirit people like this one.  He placed a beautiful cabochon of natural Kingman turquoise at the top.  He inlaid the "body" with turquoise, lapis, sugilite, gaspeite, and red and orange coral.  The setting has detailed cut-outs all around the edge of the inlay.  The band is tufa cast with detailed stamp-work.  It is stamped inside the band with "David Tune".

Size: 10 - Adjustable to one size up or one size down