Tsosie, Boyd Sterling Silver Ring With Inlay

This ring by Navajo jeweler Boyd Tsosie, handmade in sterling silver, reflects his distinctive approach to contemporary design. Known for his refined, handmade work, Tsosie creates technically precise pieces that convey visual storytelling.

Dimensions: 1″ 1/16th L X 3/16th W taper to 1/4th W

Ring Size: 8

*Ring can be sized

Categories: , , , ,
Artist:

Boyd Tsosie is a distinguished Navajo jeweler recognized for his refined craftsmanship, modern sensibility, and deep respect for tradition. Known for his technically precise, handmade work, Tsosie brings a distinctive voice to contemporary Native American jewelry through pieces that blend clean geometry with symbolic storytelling.

His designs often explore themes of balance, cosmic order, and abstract form. Whether working with sterling silver, 14k gold, or a vivid array of semi-precious stones, Tsosie creates jewelry that is both visually striking and conceptually layered. Signature elements of his style include constellation-inspired inlays, intentional asymmetry, and the use of contrasting textures to highlight color and shape.

Many of his pieces are tufa-cast and finished with meticulously hand-cut inlay—turquoise, lapis lazuli, coral, jet, and sugilite—arranged in patterns that evoke celestial or spiritual motifs. Gold accents are often incorporated as focal points, adding contrast and dimension while reinforcing themes of harmony and direction.

Grounded in Navajo aesthetics but guided by a contemporary vision, Boyd Tsosie’s work continues to push the boundaries of tradition while honoring its roots. His jewelry is widely respected for its craftsmanship, originality, and quiet sophistication.

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.

Tsosie’s work is known for its clean geometry, meticulous inlay, and symbolic abstraction. This ring reflects his exploration of cosmic themes, balance, and form, grounded in Navajo tradition yet expressed through a distinctly modern design style. Each element is thoughtfully composed, creating intentional asymmetry.

The bold rectangular face is inlaid with semi-precious gemstones—including turquoise, lapis lazuli, coral, sugilite, and jet—arranged in a constellation-like composition that evokes a cosmic design. The inlay is accented with 14k gold fine accents, including micro-dots, a star, and a square, adding contrast.

The inlay is set within serrated bezels on a tufa-cast, textured sterling silver band. The dark background enhances the vibrant colors of the stones, reminiscent of planets against the night sky.