Tufa Cast Corn Cob Sterling Silver Navajo Earrings

These tufa cast corn cob earrings by Navajo artist Shanibah Begay highlight the beauty of traditional sand-casting techniques paired with symbolic design. Handcrafted in sterling silver and finished with elegant fishhook backs for ease of wear, the design depicts corn cobs beneath clouds, a motif representing the nourishment of corn by rain—an essential symbol of life, sustenance, and blessing in Navajo culture. 

Shanibah, from Gallup, New Mexico, is renowned for her tufa cast jewelry, often collaborating with her husband, silversmith Philander Begay. The tufa casting process is an ancient Navajo technique: artisans carve detailed designs into porous tufa stone molds, then pour molten silver into the mold to create unique impressions. Each cast yields slightly different textures, ensuring no two pieces are ever exactly alike. 

Care instructions: Store in a cool, dry place, preferably in an airtight container or anti-tarnish pouches, and avoid exposure to harsh chemicals, water, and prolonged sunlight. Regularly clean with a soft cloth and mild silver polish or a baking soda/water mixture, and wear it often to maintain its luster. 

• Artist: Shanibah Begay from Gallup, New Mexico 
• Fishhook earrings 
• Size: 2 3/4 in.  
• Materials: Sterling silver, rhodochrosite, onyx 
• Handcrafted, Native American jewelry 
• Made in the USA 
• Not eligible for any discounts or promotional offers