Our Lapis Three Strand Santo Domingo Necklace is a rare convergence of sacred material, master craftsmanship, and visionary collaboration. Handcrafted by a world-renowned female artist from the Santo Domingo Pueblo (Kewa Pueblo)—whose work has been exhibited at the New York National Museum of the American Indian—this piece was personally commissioned by Pax Philomena founder Jean Marie, who worked directly with the artist to bring this singular design to life. The result is an heirloom exclusive to Pax Philomena, created with stones so scarce that similar pieces are nearly impossible to produce today.
The lapis lazuli used in this necklace originates from Afghanistan, home to the most exceptional deposits on earth. For over 6,000 years, Afghanistani lapis has been treasured for its vivid ultramarine saturation, shimmering pyrite inclusions, and profound metaphysical attributes. Associated with wisdom, intuition, and spiritual protection, its radiant blue pigment was historically reserved for royalty and sacred iconography, even ground into paint for Renaissance madonnas. Today, high-grade Afghan lapis has become increasingly scarce, which is why this artist has carefully stockpiled this stone for decades—preserving rare material for only her most meaningful creations.
In this piece, each bead has been individually hand-cut, shaped, and polished, demonstrating an extraordinary level of skill given the delicacy of lapis. The deep celestial blue is punctuated by subtle accents of natural coral, creating a nuanced rhythm of color that feels both ancient and contemporary. At the ends of each strand, finely crafted heishi beads add tactile refinement and honor the Pueblo tradition of harmony, order, and precision.
The necklace features three equal strands that fall effortlessly in parallel, creating a clean, architectural silhouette without the staggered lengths typical of multi-strand designs. This balanced configuration allows the lapis itself to take center stage, amplifying the color, line, and movement of the piece.
Beyond its visual beauty, this necklace carries the energetic properties of lapis: protection from negativity, clarity of expression, and connection to higher wisdom. The blue recalls desert night skies and prayerful silence, while the coral whispers of earth, trade, and lineage.
An extraordinary collector’s treasure, this necklace is more than adornment—it is a rare union of precious material, heritage, and female artistry. Commissioned exclusively for Pax Philomena and created using lapis that is no longer readily available, it is a piece to wear, honor, and ultimately pass down—an heirloom in every sense of the word.
