Mosaic Inlay Shell Pendant and Turquoise Necklace Santo Domingo

This Mosaic Inlay Shell Pendant and Turquoise Necklace is an extraordinary creation of Santo Domingo (Kewa) Pueblo artistry, where tradition and natural beauty converge. For generations, Santo Domingo artisans have been renowned for their masterful mosaic inlay work, an art form that reflects both cultural identity and deep respect for the Earth’s gifts. Every fragment of stone is chosen and placed with intention, transforming humble natural materials into something luminous and enduring.

The pendant begins with a hand-collected abalone shell, carefully shaped and polished to serve as a natural canvas. Into this base, tiny hand-cut pieces of turquoise, spiny oyster, and other stones are precisely set, forming a vibrant mosaic that radiates harmony and balance. At the center rests a warm orange spiny oyster cabochon, encircled by colors of sky and earth, symbolizing the union of life forces. For the Pueblo people, shells are not only adornments but also sacred reminders of water and life’s origins, connecting the wearer to both land and spirit.

The turquoise strands that hold the pendant are equally meaningful. Turquoise has long been revered across Native cultures as a stone of protection, healing, and guidance. Its brilliant blue-green hues recall the vast Southwestern sky and life-giving waters, while also serving as a symbol of connection between the physical and spiritual worlds.

More than jewelry, this necklace is a vessel of meaning. In Santo Domingo culture, mosaic inlay is more than technique—it is storytelling. Each shell, bead, and stone carries its own history, and together they form a piece that speaks of resilience, prayer, and the bond between humanity and the natural world. For centuries, Santo Domingo artisans have also been central to trade networks across the Southwest, exchanging their shell and turquoise jewelry for food, tools, and other goods. This history of exchange ensured the survival of their traditions and spread the beauty of Pueblo craftsmanship far beyond their homeland.

Wearing this necklace is not simply an act of adornment, but a way of carrying with you blessings of balance, harmony, and protection. It is also a continuation of a cultural legacy that has connected people through beauty, spirit, and exchange for hundreds of years.

Necklace Length: 15" Including the pendant and adjustable length

Number of Strands: 6

Made in USA