Santo Domingo Turquoise, Lapis, and Heishi Necklace

Our Santo Domingo Turquoise, Lapis, and Heishi Necklace is a graceful expression of color, heritage, and the enduring artistry of the Santo Domingo (Kewa) Pueblo. Handcrafted exclusively for our collection by a talented female Santo Domingo artisan, this elegant necklace was specially commissioned by Jean Marie after years of building a close relationship with the artist and her family. Composed of meticulously crafted strands of vibrant turquoise and deep blue lapis, the necklace captures the breathtaking beauty of the Southwestern landscape, where brilliant blue skies meet the rich earth below.

For Jean Marie, every commissioned piece begins with a conversation rather than a design sketch. Over the years, she has come to know the artisans she works with not simply as makers, but as friends and keepers of traditions that have been passed down for countless generations. When creating this necklace together, they wanted to celebrate the striking harmony between turquoise and lapis, two stones that have been admired across cultures for centuries for both their beauty and their symbolism. The result is a timeless piece that honors Santo Domingo craftsmanship while feeling effortlessly elegant for today's collector.

The Santo Domingo Pueblo is renowned for preserving one of the oldest jewelry-making traditions in North America. Long before the arrival of European silversmithing, Pueblo artisans were creating extraordinary jewelry from shell, turquoise, stone, and other natural materials. That legacy continues today through the painstaking process of hand-cutting, drilling, shaping, and polishing every individual bead. The precision required to create strands that flow with such balance and grace is a testament to generations of knowledge and exceptional craftsmanship.

Turquoise has long been regarded as one of the Southwest's most treasured gemstones, symbolizing protection, healing, prosperity, and the connection between earth and sky.  Paired alongside it is lapis lazuli, prized since ancient times for its rich royal-blue color flecked with subtle golden inclusions. Often associated with wisdom, truth, inner strength, and spiritual awareness, lapis has adorned royalty, artists, and collectors for thousands of years. Together, these two remarkable stones create a striking balance of vibrant color and timeless elegance.

More than a necklace, this piece tells the story of collaboration, friendship, and cultural preservation. It reflects Jean Marie's commitment to working directly with Native artisans, supporting traditional craftsmanship, and commissioning jewelry that honors both the maker and the rich heritage of Santo Domingo Pueblo. Created exclusively for our collection, it is a wearable work of art, one that celebrates history, craftsmanship, and the enduring beauty of genuine turquoise and lapis.