Apple Coral and Spiny Oyster Disc Necklace Santo Domingo

Our Apple Coral and Spiny Oyster Disc Santo Domingo Necklace is a bold expression of color, natural beauty, and generations of handwork. Created entirely by hand by a husband-and-wife artisan team from Santo Domingo Pueblo (Kewa Pueblo), the necklace features substantial polished apple coral beads whose rich red-orange tones immediately command attention. At the center, delicate spiny oyster shell discs create a beautiful contrast, accented by small touches of turquoise. Finished with sterling silver clasps, the necklace celebrates natural materials while allowing the character of each individual bead and shell to remain visible.

Apple coral is especially captivating for its warm color and naturally occurring variations. Rather than appearing perfectly uniform, the polished beads reveal subtle patterns, tonal shifts, and organic markings that make each one distinctive. The central spiny oyster shell provides a softer counterpoint. Spiny oyster has a long history in Southwestern adornment and trade and is treasured for colors ranging from pale pinks and oranges to intense reds and purples. Here, the lighter shell discs become an understated focal point against the saturated apple coral.

The necklace also reflects the remarkable handwork associated with Santo Domingo jewelry traditions. Working with natural shell and stone requires patience: materials must be selected, shaped, drilled, polished, and carefully arranged so that the finished necklace feels balanced when worn. For this husband-and-wife team, creating jewelry is a shared process in which individual materials are brought together through practiced hands. The slight variations throughout the necklace are not imperfections—they are part of what makes a handmade piece unmistakably individual.

Jean Marie is close with the artisans who created this necklace, and that personal relationship is an important part of why she selected it. She was drawn to the richness of the apple coral, the unexpected softness of the spiny oyster centerpiece, and the confident simplicity of the design. For Jean Marie, pieces like this are special because there are people and relationships behind them. Handmade, individually selected, and rooted in Santo Domingo craftsmanship, this necklace is meant to be worn as both a beautiful statement and a celebration of the hands that created it.

Length 18.5"

Made in New Mexico, USA