Blue Gem Silver

Jeff DeMent grew up in the Ozarks of southern Missouri, and attended Southeast Missouri University where he completed two Bachelor of Science degrees, in Exercise Science and Recreation Management. Jeff was active in the military for 16 years his duties included combat operations, anti-terrorism, training military law enforcement in combat ops, firearms, SWAT tactics, combative, and other tactical operations!

In 2011 he was injured in the line of duty and spent almost 3 years in a medical recovery status before being medically discharged from the military. This is when he began his journey with turquoise and silver, he learned traditional form of jewelry making called tufa casting, to reconnect with his Navajo roots and find peace.

Jeff’s work is completely handmade using the ancient technique of Tufa Casting that dates back to the late 1800’s. His original designs are hand carved onto Tufa stone, a compressed volcanic ash to create a mold, molten silver is then poured into this mold to form each piece. The silver is then hand cut, filed, formed, fabricated, and then when used natural high-grade turquoise is inlaid into a beautiful custom bezel. Jeff only uses his Tufa molds once, making each and every handmade piece a true one of a kind work of wearable art.

“For me life has come full circle, from innocent childhood to military combat, death, destruction, violence, and now an opportunity to bring beauty and a sense of peace back into the world through traditional Navajo Silver smithing.” Jeff DeMent

Handmade by Navajo artist Jeff DeMent

This is a sterling silver, handmade tufa cast contemporary pendant with natural Morenci Turquoise.

The turquoise used for this pendant is a beautiful blue with an ash color matrix with some flecks of pyrite, the stone is set in a perfect smooth bezel.

The silver work on this pendant was done in an extraordinary contemporary style. Jeff hand carved his amazing Lighting Arrow design for this pendant onto a tufa stone, and poured molten silver into the cast, to yield this amazing work of wearable art. Jeff completed this piece with a gorgeous high shine.

This pendant measures 3-1/4 inch from top of bale to bottom and is 1-1/8 inch at widest point. The bale has a 3/8 inch diameter

Weighs 44.5 grams

Jeff’s hallmark is on the back: DMW Dine Metal Works