Clark, Carl and Irene Sterling Micro-Fine Inlaid Bracelet

$9,500.00

Clark, Carl, and Irene

 

Navajo jewelers Carl and Irene Clark use micro-inlay, a pattern composed of hundreds (sometimes thousands) of tiny, hand-cut stones, including turquoise, lapis, coral, jet, and mother of pearl fitted seamlessly together to create detailed pictorial imagery like the Navajo Yei on this sterling silver tufa cast bracelet. On the outer edge cast into the silver metal bracelet, they added a Navajo Moon God design.

 

Dimensions: 9/16th W

Bracelet Size: 5

Bracelet Opening: 1″

 

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Carl and Irene Clark are celebrated Navajo jewelers renowned for their innovative contributions to Native American jewelry, particularly through their groundbreaking micro-fine inlay technique. As a husband-and-wife team, their work beautifully blends traditional Navajo craftsmanship with contemporary design, setting them apart in the world of Native American art.

Carl Clark, a master silversmith, is known for his skillful use of silver, often incorporating stones like turquoise, coral, and onyx that hold deep cultural significance to the Navajo people. His intricate designs often feature Navajo symbols such as the Yei, spiritual figures representing the connection between the physical and spiritual realms. Irene Clark complements his work with her own expertise in design and inlay, contributing to the unique pieces they create together.

What truly sets the Clarks apart, however, is their pioneering work with *micro-fine inlay*. This technique involves the use of extremely small, precisely cut pieces of stone, meticulously set into sterling silver and gold. The inlays are so fine that they appear almost seamless, creating a smooth, continuous flow of color and texture. Their attention to detail and the precision required to craft these tiny inlay has garnered them widespread recognition.

The Clarks’ micro-fine inlay often incorporates geometric patterns, nature-inspired motifs, and traditional Navajo symbols, all of which are rendered with extraordinary skill and care. This technique elevates their jewelry, blending modern aesthetics with the cultural significance of their heritage. Their work pushes the boundaries of traditional Navajo inlaid jewelry, achieving a level of sophistication that has earned them a prominent place in the Native American art community.

Through their mastery of this delicate technique, Carl and Irene Clark have not only preserved and honored their Navajo roots but have also pushed the art form to new heights, creating jewelry that is both technically impressive and artistically exceptional.

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.