Here is an older beautiful sandcast sterling silver belt buckle set with a genuine turquoise stone, created by Navajo silversmith, Martha Cayatineto. The sandcast buckle is smooth on the backside and has a slightly grainy texture on the front side. The buckle is set with a genuine turquoise stone, probably Kingman.
The buckle measures 2-7/8 inches long by 1-5/8 inch wide and it weighs 40.4 grams. The buckle can fit a belt up to 1-1/4 inch wide.
This is an older belt buckle. I was told it was from the 1970's. Has Martha Cayatineto's hallmark. Excellent condition.
SANDCAST. One early technique still used by Navajo silversmiths is making silver castings in sand or stone molds. The artist carves a design into damp sand or tufa (a porous volcanic stone). Pumice or sandstone may also be used. A second flat stone is secured on top to complete the mold. Silver is then melted in a crucible and it is poured into the mold through a carved channel. If it is the proper temperature, it flows through to the bottom where it cools and hardens, filling the design space. Air vents allow steam to escape, preventing air bubbles from forming in the cooling silver. After cooling, the stones are separated and the casting is removed. Any silver not part of the overall design is cut off. The silver is then filed smooth. At this point the finishing begins with filing, stamp work, soldering on findings, adding stones, cleaning and buffing.