Ric Charlie Sterling Silver Ring With Coral and Gold

$4,500.00

Ric Charlie

Sterling silver tufa cast ring with texture and design by Ric Chalire. He set a diamond-shaped Mediterranean coral stone with serration in a 14k gold bezel

 

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Ric Charlie is the most innovative jeweler of our time, utilizing the ancient technique of Tufa Casting. Ric creates multi-level dimensional jewelry by meticulously cutting the designs with flawless precision. Each design is hand cast, formed, filed, sanded, and polished to perfection. Finally, diamonds and semi-precious gemstones are set to accent each piece for sale to the discriminating collector.

Ric Charlie is noted for his fine tufa cast work. His jewelry often has added colorful patinas in shades of gold, rust, red, purple, blue, and green, achieved by adding liver of sulfur to the silver. His pieces use Navajo landscape scenes, Yei Bi’Ci’s spiritual figures, and sand painting designs. The fine lines in his jewelry are accomplished by incising the tufa stone with the dental tools Ric has used for over 20 years. He uses a wide range of techniques, including mosaic, channel inlay, and set natural stones. Ric is also a painter and sculptor.

Born in Tuba City, Arizona in 1959, Ric is of Tsi’naa’jinii’ (Black-Streaked-Wood-People) and Ta’baahi’ (Edgewater) Clans. Growing up under humble circumstances with his grandparents in the sun streaked red cliffs, Ric learned the traditional ways while watching the old ones slowly adjust to new technology and world ideas. He began experimenting with jewelry making and learned the basic techniques while in high school. He attended Arizona State University in Tempe and the University of Arizona in Tucson with sports scholarships. There, he formally studied jewelry making and design.

However, in the area of tufa casting, Ric is largely a self-taught artist. The technique he uses was not part ofdio art curriculum. He apprenticed to other jewelers whose work he admired and set himself a goal of making his college stu the lines fine and clean.

Ric has been a practicing jeweler since the early 1970s. Today, in addition to pursuing and perfecting his own career, Ric teaches and advises young Native artists from around the world on his distinctive tufa stone casting methods.

During his lifetime, Ric has had a strong sense of being a part of Monument Valley and has felt like it was him home. So a lot of his work has the Monument Valley scenery. “Every time I feel down, I always think about my place in life, and I feel that I have something to give into this world…”

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.

 

Ring Sizing Guide: How to Measure Your Ring Size Accurately

Ring Sizing Guide – How to Measure Your Ring Size Accurately

Finding the right ring size is essential when purchasing fine, handmade jewelry, especially one-of-a-kind pieces that may not be resizable. Use this simple guide to measure your ring size at home and shop with confidence at Faust Gallery.

How to Measure Your Ring Size at Home

You can determine your ring size in a few easy ways using common items or by measuring a ring you already own.

Option 1: Measure Your Finger with a Strip of Paper or String

What you’ll need: a thin strip of paper, a ruler (millimeters), and a pen.

  1. Wrap the paper around the base of the finger where you’ll wear the ring.
  2. Mark the point where the ends overlap.
  3. Measure the length (in millimeters) with a ruler—this is your finger’s circumference.
  4. Use the chart below to find your U.S. ring size.

Tip: The paper should fit snugly but still be able to slide over your knuckle.

Option 2: Measure a Ring That Fits You

What you’ll need: a ring that fits the intended finger and a millimeter ruler or caliper.

  1. Place the ring on a flat surface.
  2. Measure the inside diameter straight across the center in millimeters.
  3. Compare that number to the chart below.

U.S. Ring Size Conversion Chart

Inside Diameter (mm) Inside Circumference (mm) U.S. Ring Size
14.8 46.5 4
15.7 49.3 5
16.5 51.8 6
17.3 54.4 7
18.1 57.0 8
19.0 59.5 9
19.8 62.1 10
20.6 64.6 11
21.4 67.2 12

✔️ Chart verified against standard U.S. jewelry industry sizing measurements.

Ring Sizing Tips for the Best Fit

  • Measure at the end of the day – your fingers naturally swell and shrink.
  • Avoid measuring cold hands – cold temperatures cause fingers to contract.
  • Wider bands fit more snugly – consider sizing up ¼ to ½ size for rings wider than 6mm.
  • Your dominant hand may be larger – double-check if you’re switching hands.
  •  If you’re in between sizes, it’s safer to go up a half size.

Can Rings Be Resized?

Many of the rings at Faust Gallery are handmade by renowned Native American and contemporary jewelers using inlay, stone settings, or tufa cast techniques. Some of the designs are often not resizable due to their intricate construction. We always recommend measuring accurately before purchasing.

Need Help Finding Your Ring Size?

We’re happy to assist.

  • Email us at sales@faustgallery.com
  •  Visit us in person at our Scottsdale, AZ, or Santa Fe, NM, locations
  •  Request a complimentary plastic ring sizer – we’ll ship one to you

Shop with Confidence

Faust Gallery specializes in museum-quality jewelry where precision and craftsmanship matter. Our goal is to ensure your ring fits perfectly and lasts a lifetime.