Rare Gaspeite and Heishi Necklace Santo Domingo Three Strand

Our Natural Gaspeite and Heishi Three Strand Necklace Santo Domingo is an exquisite expression of Kewa craftsmanship, handmade by a female Santo Domingo artisan especially for us! Three beautifully balanced strands of natural gaspeite create an uninterrupted field of apple green, chartreuse, olive, and subtle earthy matrix, interrupted only by a small, unexpected accent of turquoise. The effect is wonderfully sophisticated: bold in color yet restrained in design, allowing the extraordinary natural material and precision of the artisan’s hand to become the entire story.

Gaspeite is an unusual nickel carbonate mineral named for the Gaspé Peninsula of Québec, where it was first identified in the twentieth century; important lapidary material was later associated with deposits in Western Australia. Its unmistakable yellow-green to apple-green coloration has made it especially distinctive in Southwestern jewelry, where it offers a striking alternative to turquoise. Fine older material suitable for jewelry has become increasingly difficult to source, making three coordinated strands particularly compelling. Rather than assigning gaspeite a traditional Kewa symbolism it may not historically possess, its luminous green can be appreciated for what it genuinely brings to this piece: rarity, vitality, and remarkable natural beauty.

The apparent simplicity disguises an enormous amount of work. Santo Domingo Pueblo is renowned for heishi, a tradition in which stone or shell is cut into small blanks, individually drilled, strung, then painstakingly ground, smoothed, and polished until hundreds of separate elements flow together almost seamlessly. Across three strands, the repetition becomes extraordinary. Slight changes in green, matrix, thickness, and surface remain visible, reminding us that these are natural stones shaped individually by hand rather than mechanically produced beads.

Jean Marie continues to seek out this artisan’s limited creations because they combine technical mastery with a deeply personal sensibility. Their relationship has developed through years of friendship, patronage, and a shared fascination with exceptional materials. This piece is exceptional and as gaspeite is harder and harder to find, it will be an heirloom piece to cherish.

length 19.5"

Made in New Mexico, USA