Checker Nevada Green Turquoise and Silver Necklace Santo Domingo

Our Checker Nevada Green Turquoise Necklace from Santo Domingo Pueblo is a stunning expression of nature’s artistry and Pueblo heritage. Crafted entirely by hand using the traditional heishi technique, each stone is carefully cut, shaped, and polished into smooth, flat beads by skilled Santo Domingo artisans. This painstaking process—honored and passed down through generations—ensures that every turquoise nugget flows seamlessly, imbuing the necklace with grace, balance, and a deeply human touch. At the center rests a sterling silver pendant bead, a gleaming accent that not only enhances the design but also symbolizes strength and endurance, grounding the necklace in both beauty and tradition.

The vibrant green and rust hues of the turquoise are sourced from the Checker region of Nevada,  is known for producing some of the most striking green turquoise in the American West. Nevada is renowned for its eclectic spectrum of green tones—ranging from lime to rich forest green—thanks to mineral variations like zinc and iron. This type of green turquoise is increasingly rare due to limited mining and geological constraints, making this necklace particularly precious. Throughout Native cultures, turquoise has been revered not just as a gem but as a sacred stone embodying protection, healing, and spiritual connection.

For centuries, turquoise jewelry has held profound significance among Southwestern tribes, used in ceremonies, traded as precious goods, and carried as talismans. At Santo Domingo Pueblo—also known as Kewa Pueblo—the fine art of stringing heishi beads has been a cornerstone of their jewelry-making tradition. Each necklace is not merely an accessory but a continuation of this legacy, lovingly shaped by hands that carry forward history, resilience, and cultural identity. The female artisan who made this necklace for us, decided to add three sterling silver bead as the focal point to the necklace - "just to have some fun" were her words about this addition. It makes this necklace particularly unique.

When worn, our Checker Nevada Green Turquoise Necklace Santo Domingo becomes more than adornment—it becomes a living testament to earth and spirit. Its cool green tones and central silver beads rest naturally against the skin, evoking serenity, grounding, and balance. This piece connects the wearer to centuries of artists and traditions, offering beauty, meaning, and cultural presence in every graceful curve.

Necklace Length: 18"

Bead size 7.4mm-13mm

Weight 2.7oz/76gr

Made in USA