Pink Clam Shell and Turquose Heishi Necklace Santo Domingo Pueblo

Our Five Strand Pink Clam Shell and Turquoise Heishi Necklace from Santo Domingo is a luminous celebration of color, tradition, and deeply rooted craftsmanship. Handcrafted by a gifted female artisan who learned her skills from her elders, this piece carries forward generations of knowledge, patience, and cultural pride. Created on commission exclusively for Pax Philomena at Jean Marie’s request, it is not simply jewelry—it is a personal and meaningful work of art.

This necklace is composed in the traditional heishi style. This painstaking process can take days, even weeks, to complete, requiring a steady hand and an intuitive understanding of the material. The result is a fluid, elegant drape that feels both refined and organic.

The soft blush tones come from natural clam shell, a material long used by Santo Domingo artisans. The pink hue is not dyed, but emerges organically from the inner layers of the shell, where subtle variations in mineral content and structure create those gentle, warm tones. Achieving this consistent color requires careful selection and skill, making beautifully matched strands like these especially treasured.

Interwoven throughout are accents of turquoise, a stone that has become increasingly rare and difficult to source. Many of the historic mines in the American Southwest have been depleted, and high-quality natural turquoise is now far less accessible than it once was. For the Santo Domingo people, turquoise holds deep cultural meaning—it is a stone of protection, balance, and connection to the sky and water. Its presence here adds not only contrast, but spiritual depth.

Jean Marie personally commissioned this piece, working closely with the artisan to ensure its harmony of color and form. Knowing that it was made specifically for Pax Philomena adds a sense of intimacy and exclusivity—these are not pieces made in volume, but created with intention, just for this collection.

Soft yet striking, this necklace embodies a quiet elegance. It is a piece that feels both timeless and deeply personal—one that carries the story of the hands that made it, and the traditions that continue to give it life.

Number of strands: 5

Length 17"

Made in USA