Tufa cuff - Peruvian Opal, Sterling silver, 18k
Without a doubt, the most substantial piece I have created to date. Materials intense, labor intense, this piece is for the discerning collector who appreciates rare gems and statement pieces.
The piece: This cuff began as a hand-poured sterling silver tufa ingot, and was then forged into shape over my anvil and my antique Navajo-made cuff mandrel, which together with my furnaces and torches, form the heart and soul of my workshop.
A .999 fine silver setting was hand milled and shaped to fit the Peruvian blue opal, and 18k hallmarks and a solid 18k drop were added at the very end, to add a touch of high karat gold.
All at once minimalist, organic, luxurious, ancient and contemporary, the natural texture of the tufa ingot and the hammer strikes on the setting invoke a sense of rustic elegance alongside such a substantial and beautiful stone.
This piece will easily turn heads both on a wrist or in a display case, and as with all my pieces, invite conversation. Peruvian opals are both visually striking and rare.
The stone:
The opal itself is a stone I picked up from one of my favorite US based lapidary artists, all the way back in 2020, when a small amount of this exotic material suddenly hit the market in the middle of the pandemic.
It is without a doubt the largest, as well as the finest quality Peruvian opal that has ever passed through my hands.
These rare opals are still rarer in a true Caribbean-blue color, with gemmy semi-transparency, and beautiful golden polychrome plumes and black dendrites. Only intermittently available throughout the years, it may be many years before a stone like this makes it to my bench again.
Specs:
Peruvian Opal: 30.4 ct
Total weight: 235.3 grams (over 7 troy ounces)
Inside length: 6.1 in (15.5 cm)
Gap: 1.5 inches (3.81 cm)
Hallmarks:
18k, 925 (sterling silver), and the Ghost-Lily maker's mark
Care:
Peruvian blue opals should be treated with the same care as all types of opal. Avoid subjecting to wear and tear, extreme changes in temperature, moisture, or ultrasonic cleaners. Use the jewelry cleaning cloth provided anytime this cuff needs a polish.