Navajo Rare Purple Spiny Oyster and Silver Naja Necklace

Our Navajo Purple Spiny Oyster and Silver Naja Necklace is a magnificent expression of traditional Southwestern silversmithing interpreted with remarkable artistic individuality. At its center rests an elongated teardrop of purple spiny oyster shell, its rich aubergine and wine-colored hues glowing against the cool brilliance of silver. Surrounding the shell, three gracefully nested silver crescents create a dramatic, almost architectural silhouette. Suspended from a simple black cord, the pendant has an effortless sophistication that allows its extraordinary shape, color, and craftsmanship to command attention.

Purple spiny oyster, a marine shell belonging to the Spondylus family, has long been treasured in Southwestern jewelry for its distinctive natural coloration. Unlike turquoise, which is a mineral, spiny oyster is an organic material, and finding a beautiful section of deep purple shell suitable for a substantial polished cabochon makes this centerpiece particularly compelling. The purple shell must be carefully selected, cut, shaped, and polished to reveal its rich color and natural variations. Purple is the rarest color of Spiny oyster as it requires the shell to be harvested in its oldest form. Spiny oyster shell starts out yellow, then changes to orange, then to red, and lastly to purple. So this color has become increasingly difficult to find.

The naja, with its characteristic open crescent shape, has an equally fascinating history. Adapted by Navajo silversmiths from crescent ornaments associated with Spanish and Mexican horse bridles, it became an enduring element of Navajo jewelry during the nineteenth century. Historically connected with protective imagery in some of its earlier forms, the naja has evolved into a celebrated expression of artistic identity and craftsmanship. What makes this particular piece especially compelling is its creation through the traditional art of tufa casting, in which the artisan carves the design into a mold of volcanic tufa stone before pouring molten sterling silver into it. Once cooled, the silver is removed and carefully finished by hand, preserving the beautifully irregular, earthy texture imparted by the stone. In this interpretation, three concentric crescents, richly textured edges, and polished silver accents create extraordinary depth and movement.

Jean Marie has always been drawn to unusual Native American jewelry, a passion that began during childhood visits to the Navajo reservations with her mother, Philomena. Today, she continues traveling throughout the Southwest, seeking out artisans and pieces that possess a distinctive creative voice. This necklace is precisely the kind of discovery that captures her imagination: an unexpected combination of sculptural silver work and magnificent natural color. Worn against a simple white shirt, silk tunic, or flowing Pax Philomena kaftan, it becomes wearable sculpture, a singular expression of Southwestern artistry to treasure and eventually pass forward.