FRITZ CASUSE

Sterling Silver Turquoise & Peridot
Pendant with Pearl

Despite its controversial link to the military, New Mexico’s White Sands National Monument provides stunning natural visuals.

Situated within the mountain ranges of the Tularosa Basin are landscapes of beautiful white sands composed of gypsum crystals that remain cool to the touch during high temperatures.  New Mexico is also home to featured jewelry designer Fritz Casuse.

Any individual piece of designer jewelry is a microcosm.  Anything from the designer’s life becomes a pared down representation.

Santa Fe-based Casuse’s vivid conceptualizations of his Navajo upbringing composed from fine and sterling silver, 14-karat gold and semi-precious gemstones like Bisbee turquoise, variscite and lapis lazuli reveal special places and special people.

A graduate from the Institue of American Indian Arts, Casuse put his Fine Arts degree in Two and Three-Dimensional Programs to prolific use mastering not only jewelry making but acrylic and oil painting, beadwork, and sculpture.  Remarkably he produces expressive, unique works of art in his spare-time on weekends and after work.

“My father was a carpenter and welder and he passed that knowledge on to me.  He has been a huge inspiration to me.  I have been designing jewelry for twelve years.  I love living in Santa Fe.  To me it is like the art capital of the world,” he enthuses.

14K Gold, Red Coral & Diamond Love and the Veil Ring

Like other Navajo jewelry designers, Casuse’s stylistically bold jewelry creations, such as his Painted Turtle Ring, capture the essence of natural surroundings.  Designs like his sterling silver Indian Market Cuff Bracelet depicts the wonders to be found at Santa Fe’s 90-year-old arts market known as the Santa Fe Indian Market. 

This complex and sculptural piece highlights a concha belt of blue turquoise and black onyx; squash blossoms of lapis lazuli; and an eagle prayer feather carved from gold mother-of-pearl.

His innovative and daring design choices seamlessly link specific materials to a specific purpose. His high-end handcrafted jewelry collections transcend beauty in their intricate patterns; tactile finishes; and show stopping arrangement.   His powerful yet romantic design approach is a testament to Casuse’s technical prowess and imagination.

“There is a lot to see in my jewelry work; everything flows.  There are many lines and textures.  I aspire to continue to work with different media, share ideas with other artists; and learn new methods.  Creating artwork is my future.”

Selections from Casuse’s jewelry collections are available to purchase online at carolynpollack.com,  sedonainjewelry.com and towa-artists.com.

Sterling Silver Indian Market Cuff Bracelet
with Black Onyx, Turquoise, Lapis and Mother-of-Pearl

2013 Jewelry Trend Alert:   Casuse’s vivid artistic vision includes the year’s trends of white sterling silver and a bevy of colored gemstones.