Ira Custer – Navajo
Ira Custer learned the art of silversmithing from his parents, Benny and Emily Custer at their small shop near Greasewood Arizona on the Navajo reservation. He specializes in traditional sand casting and intricate carvings on tufa stone. Recently, he has learned to inlay his cast creations. Self taught, he has won many awards and routinely sells out at Santa Fe Indian Market.
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This eye-catching one of a kind pendant created by Navajo artist, Ira Custer, features an amazing rare gem grade natural Carico Lake turquoise stone. The vibrant lime green cabochon is surrounded with a hand chiseled fluted bezel and glows set against the artist's signature sand cast silverwork. The piece has a very nice weight and beautiful texture due to the process in which it was made. The artist laboriously hand carved this particular design into a sandstone and poured the molten silver into it creating this one of a kind piece.
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This wonderful piece was created by Navajo artist, Ira Custer. The pendant was made through the use of a sandstone. Sandcasting is an ancient process where the artist carves a particular design into a sandstone pours molten silver into it therefore yielding a one of a kind item. This process can only be used two to three times before the design is destroyed by the molten material. This is a much more labor intensive process than conventional investment casting which produces an infinite number of identical images. The piece features beautiful rare natural Candelaria turquoise with a sky blue hue and golden-chocolate-brown matrix. The detail of the piece is gorgeous as well with fine bezel work and unique curvature for each of the arms. The chain portrayed with this piece is for display purposes only.
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This incredible concho belt was hand made by award winning Navajo artist, Ira Custer. The piece features spectacular natural Royston turquoise with high grade hues of deep green and blue with tan, chocolate and golden-brown matrix. Each stone is flawless encircled with exceptional detail. The piece was created through the use of a sandstone and the skill for this technique is substantial. Sandcasting is an ancient process where the artist carves a particular design into a sandstone and pours molten silver into it therefore yielding a one of a kind item. The sandstone can only be used two to three times before it is rendered useless due to the extreme heat of molten silver. This is a much more labor intensive process than conventional investment casting which produces an infinite number of identical images. This piece includes eleven gorgeous conchos with a marvelous belt buckle and the artist performed with amazing skill and precision making this piece one of a kind.
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With wonderful flow and beautiful design this amazing bracelet was created by award winning Navajo artist, Ira Custer. The piece is set with a stunning specimen of Royston turquoise from Nevada that is blue and deep green with chocolate-brown matrix. The artist made the piece through the use of a sandstone which gives the item an older look that is very eye-catching. This piece has a nice weight and is one of a kind.
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This beautiful bracelet was created by award winning Navajo artist, Ira Custer. The piece was made through the use of a sandstone and features natural Royston turquoise. The cabochon is a gorgeous pale blue with a hint of deep green and chocolate-brown matrix. The detail of the piece is elegant as well with fine bezel work and wonderful patterns.
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