Turquoise and Black Jet, and Heishi Shell Three Strand Santo Domingo Necklace

Our Turquoise and Black Jet Three Strand Necklace Santo Domingo is a striking expression of Kewa artistry, created exclusively for Pax Philomena by a talented female artisan from Santo Domingo Pueblo. Specially commissioned through her long-standing friendship with Jean Marie, the necklace was designed around the dramatic contrast of luminous turquoise and polished black jet. Three graceful strands move in broad passages from brilliant blue-green to deep black, creating a composition that feels graphic, sophisticated, and remarkably modern while remaining rooted in generations of Pueblo jewelry making. Small flashes of turquoise within the jet and subtle natural variations throughout give the piece an unmistakably handmade character.

The Santo Domingo, or Kewa Pueblo, is internationally celebrated for its mastery of heishi, one of the great bead-making traditions of the Southwest. The apparent simplicity of these strands disguises an extraordinary amount of handwork. Stone is cut into tiny blanks, individually drilled, strung, then patiently ground, smoothed, and polished until hundreds of separate elements flow together with beautiful consistency. Creating three strands that sit so naturally against the body requires not only patience but an experienced eye for proportion, rhythm, and balance.

The materials bring their own extraordinary presence. Turquoise has been treasured by Southwestern Native peoples for centuries and may carry associations with water, sky, health, abundance, and protection, though meanings vary among communities and individuals. Jet, an organic material related to lignite, has also appeared in Pueblo jewelry for generations and develops a rich, velvety-black luster when carefully polished. Together, the two create a powerful contrast—brilliant color against deep shadow, while the natural differences in tone and surface keep the necklace from ever feeling rigid or mechanical.

For Jean Marie, this piece is as much about relationship as design. Her lifelong appreciation for Native American jewelry began during childhood visits to the Pueblos with her mother, Philomena, and today she deeply values the friendships she has formed with the artisans she continues to patronize. Commissioned through that personal connection, this three-strand necklace celebrates friendship, craftsmanship, and living tradition, a timeless piece of wearable art equally beautiful with a white shirt, silk tunic, or flowing Pax Philomena kaftan.

Made in New Mexico USA.

Length 20" with clasp