Rare Sleeping Beauty Turquoise, Coral, and Red Spiny Oyster Necklace Santo Domingo

This Rare Sleeping Beauty Turquoise, Coral, and Orange Spiny Oyster Graduated Necklace from Santo Domingo is a powerful union of some of the most sought-after natural materials in Native American jewelry. At its heart is the legendary Sleeping Beauty turquoise, celebrated for its clear, robin’s egg blue color that seems to capture the desert sky. With the Arizona mine long closed, this turquoise grows rarer with each passing year, making every piece that features it an increasingly treasured find. Paired with the fiery energy of Mediterranean coral and the brilliant warmth of red and orange spiny oyster shell, this necklace embodies both the rarity and richness of the earth and sea.

The spiny oyster shell, harvested from the waters of the Sea of Cortez, has been used in adornment since ancient times. Once hand-gathered by divers, its vivid reds and oranges were traded across vast distances and prized by the ancestors of the Southwest. Artisans shape, cut, and polish each spiny oyster piece with patience, transforming the rough shell into smooth, radiant beads that glow like fire. Coral too has long been cherished, representing life, vitality, and deep connection to the ocean, completing the powerful trio of elements that define this necklace.

Crafted in the Santo Domingo Pueblo tradition, by a female artisan who has shown at the National Museum of the American Indian in Manhattan, this necklace is strung by hand with a graceful graduated design, allowing the stones and shells to flow naturally across the neckline. The sterling silver accents add refinement, grounding the natural materials in the artistry of silversmithing. For generations, Santo Domingo artisans have mastered the balance of strength, beauty, and symbolism, and this necklace carries forward that lineage with pride.

When worn, this piece feels both grounding and radiant. The rare Sleeping Beauty turquoise rests cool and serene against the skin, while the coral and spiny oyster bring vibrant energy and warmth. It is more than adornment—it is a continuation of history, a reflection of earth and sea, and a reminder of the enduring beauty of Native craftsmanship. A true collector’s piece, it carries within it stories of rarity, heritage, and spirit, making it as meaningful as it is beautiful.

Necklace Length: 23"

Graduated beads are from 4-10 mm

Made in USA