Charlie, Ric 18K Gold Double Sided Yei Mask Locket Pendant

$30,000.00

Charlie, Ric

Navajo jeweler Ric Charlie handmade this intricate double-sided locket pendant in 18k gold using the traditional tufa cast technique.

On the front side, a single Navajo Yei mask is featured, set with Morenci turquoise eyes and a domed sugilite mouth, accented with fine diamonds.

On the reverse side, five stylized Yei masks are arranged in a pattern, inlaid with turquoise, coral, sugilite, and lapis, also accented with diamonds.

The pendant opens with a finely engineered gold hinge, revealing two inner compartments with gold picture frames, perfect for holding cherished images.

Ric Charlie’s masterful tufa carving brings this piece to life with multi-dimensional precision. His attention to fine detail and innovative use of texture and form continues to set him apart as one of today’s leading Navajo jewelers.

This pendant pairs well with a leather cord, gold chain, or neck wire.

Dimensions: 1″ 15/16th L X 1″ 3/4th W

In Stock

SKU: B#32 Categories: , , , , ,
Artist:

Faust Gallery

Ric Charlie

b. 1959, Tuba City, Arizona  ·  Diné (Navajo Nation)

Navajo master jeweler Ric Charlie with gallerist Bill Faust at Faust Gallery

Ric Charlie and Bill Faust

Ric Charlie is among the most innovative Native American jewelers working today, a master of the ancient art of tufa casting. Drawn away from the turquoise common to Southwestern jewelry, he is known instead for color: luminous patinas of gold, rust, red, purple, blue, and green, coaxed from silver through a technique all his own.

His fine, clean lines, incised into volcanic stone and drawn from Navajo landscapes and the spiritual figures of the Yei Bi'Ci, have earned him the field's highest honors, from Best of Show at the Heard Museum to the Raymond Dewey Memorial Award for Excellence in Tufa Stone Casting.

"Every time I feel down, I always think about my place in life, and I feel that I have something to give to this world."

— Ric Charlie

Ric Charlie tufa-cast silver belt buckle with colorful patina

Ric Charlie, tufa-cast silver with patina

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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.