Old Style Navajo Rainbow Man Naja

What's not to love about this sterling silver naja pendant?  At the top is an arrowhead, perhaps for protection. Rainhow man encircles the piece with arms and faces at each end. Stamp-work birds are at the top, and the entire piece has been oxided to give it that dark silver color. It is a tufa cast piece - more on that jewelry making process below. On the back is a loop that can go onto your favorite necklace or wear it with a chain. 

Size: 2.125" H x 2.125" 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 cracks, the tufa explodes when the metal is poured in and the process has to begin again.