Wide Sterling Silver Cuff Bracelet with Boulder Opal Stone by Brett Bastien [SOLD]

C4155L-bracelet.jpg

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Brett Bastien, Jeweler
  • Category: Bracelets
  • Origin: Western Artists
  • Medium: Sterling Silver, Boulder Opal
  • Size:
    5” end-to-end x 1-¼” opening
    tapered to 5-5/8” end-to-end x 1-½” opening;
    3-½” length
    Wrist size: 6-1/2" tapered up to 7"
  • Item # C4155L
  • SOLD

Brett Bastien is a contemporary jeweler who lives and works in Santa Fe, New Mexico. One of the few Anglo artisans to study jewelry at The Institute of American Indian Arts, Brett studied under Otellie Loloma and Duane Maktima. His work is distinguished by the use of fine stamp work and expert craftsmanship that make bold statements.

For 500 million years of its geological history central Australia was covered by an inland sea. On the shores of this inland sea, silica-laden sediment was deposited.  Imagine the beaches of the present day. About 30 million years ago, as the earth’s crust shifted, the silica sediment filled cracks in the layers of rock and clay. Some of this sediment, with the forces of time, heat and pressure became precious opals. It takes millions of years for opal to form.

This unique cuff was commissioned by the husband of the current owner who had Brett Bastien make it for a special occasion. It is indeed a magnificent piece. The focal point of the cuff is the boulder opal. Found only in Queensland, Australian boulder opals are characterized by a fissure of opal formed in the cracks of another host rock.  In this case, the host is Tiger Jasper- a spectacular combination of Hematitie and Ironstone that swirl around one another. The boulder opal is nature’s own abstract miracle masterpiece.

Brett Bastien set this remarkable stone in an elegant straight edged bezel which he attached to a wide sterling silver band stamped with small circles creating a coarse texture that compliments the smooth, fluid texture of the boulder opal. On either side of the stamped area are ¾” bands of smooth, highly polished silver. The cuff gently tapers to fit the shape of the wrist.

Looking at this spectacular cuff, it is quite apparent that Brett Bastien studied with masters of southwestern jewelry. He took the lessons of jewelry artist greats Duane Maktima and Otellie Loloma and translated them into his own unique style, creating a one-of-a-kind treasure of personal adornment. The cuff is hallmarked on the inside with Brett Bastien's hallmark and .925 for silver content. You might ponder what is sterling silver? Sterling silver is an alloy made from 92.5 percent silver and 7.5 percent alloy. An alloy is essentially the mixture of two or more elements. Regarding sterling silver, the alloys can include zinc, copper, or nickel. The United States, Europe and most of the world enforces a strict standard of sterling silver at 92.5 silver to 7.5 copper or other alloys. So, that leaves the question: what is 925 silver? Ultimately, it is the same thing as sterling silver! Sterling silver and 925 silver are both made from the same silver alloy blend, with the only key difference being the name. 


Condition: thise Wide Sterling Silver Cuff Bracelet with Boulder Opal Stone by Brett Bastien is in excellent condition.

Provenance: commissioned by a gentleman from New York as a special occasion gift for his wife, from whose estate it is now available.

Recommended Reading: CONTEMPORARY SOUTHWESTERN JEWELRY by Diana Pardue

Relative Links: Southwest Indian Jewelry, Anglo-Euro (Non-Native) American, BraceletsBrett BastienOtellie Loloma

Brett Bastien, Jeweler
  • Category: Bracelets
  • Origin: Western Artists
  • Medium: Sterling Silver, Boulder Opal
  • Size:
    5” end-to-end x 1-¼” opening
    tapered to 5-5/8” end-to-end x 1-½” opening;
    3-½” length
    Wrist size: 6-1/2" tapered up to 7"
  • Item # C4155L
  • SOLD

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