Jackson, Tommy 14K Gold Tufa Cast Inliad Earrings

$2,200.00

Jackson, Tommy (b. 1958-2025)

Tommy Jackson was an award-winning Navajo jeweler known for his traditional and contemporary style of Navajo jewelry. He started making jewelry in the 1970s, and made these 14k gold tufa cast earrings. Tommy set these post earrings with coral, turquoise, and mother-of-pearl, jet, and fine line gold accent spaces. They are signed on the back, TJ, Tommy Jackson.

Dimensions: 7/8th L X 9/16th W

Earring Type: Post

In Stock

Categories: , , , ,
Artist:

Tommy Jackson (b. 1958–2025) 

Tommy Jackson was a celebrated Navajo (Diné) silversmith known for blending traditional techniques with contemporary designs. Born on January 20, 1958, in Chinle, Arizona, and raised in a family of jewelers, Tommy learned the art of silversmithing from his parents, Martha and Gene Jackson, both respected artists in their own right. His career spanned decades and earned him a place among the most respected names in Native American jewelry.

From a young age, Tommy demonstrated a deep appreciation for Navajo culture and craftsmanship. He later earned a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Arizona, a background that informed his thoughtful, precise, and balanced approach to jewelry design. Though educated in academia, it was the traditional tools of the trade—saws, files, stamps, and torches—that shaped his lasting legacy.

Tommy Jackson’s jewelry was known for its strong forms and elegant simplicity. Working in sterling silver and 14k gold, he often incorporated high-grade turquoise, coral, lapis, and other stones into his work. He was also known for using old silver coins and repurposed materials, giving new life to forgotten pieces of the past. His bold style and refined technique appealed to collectors who appreciated jewelry with weight, presence, and heritage.

Throughout his career, Tommy received numerous awards at top Native American art shows, including the Santa Fe Indian Market, Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market in Phoenix, and the Museum of Northern Arizona. His work has been exhibited in galleries and museums across the country and remains highly sought after by collectors worldwide.

Tommy Jackson passed away in 2025, leaving behind a powerful legacy in the world of Native American art. His work continues to inspire new generations of silversmiths and collectors alike.

Tufa casting is an ancient and revered metalworking technique used predominantly by Navajo and other Southwestern Native American jewelers. The process involves carving a design into a soft, porous volcanic stone known as tufa, which is composed of compressed volcanic ash. Tufa stone is ideal for casting due to its ease of carving and ability to withstand high temperatures.

To begin, the artist cuts and sands two matching tufa stones, creating a mold by hand-carving the desired design into one half. A funnel-like channel is also carved to allow molten metal—usually sterling silver or gold—to be poured into the mold. The two stone halves are then bound together and pre-heated to remove moisture, which prevents cracking during casting. Once the molten metal is poured in and cooled, the mold is broken open, revealing a one-of-a-kind piece.

Tufa casting is prized for its texture—the stone imparts a natural, grainy surface to the metal, giving the finished jewelry a distinct organic look and feel. Many artists embrace this texture as a signature element of their work, often finishing the piece with additional hand stamping, polishing, or stone inlay.

This method allows for artistic freedom and individuality, as each mold is used only once, making every tufa cast piece truly unique. Tufa casting reflects a deep respect for tradition and craftsmanship, preserving a hands-on, ancestral approach to jewelry making that continues to inspire contemporary Native artists today.