Turquoise, Pen Shell, and Apple Coral Necklace Santo Domingo

This Turquoise, Apple Coral, and Pen Shell Necklace is a radiant expression of Santo Domingo Pueblo artistry, carrying both the weight of tradition and the promise of the future. What makes this necklace particularly meaningful is that it was handcrafted by the granddaughter of one of our most celebrated artisans. In her hands, the wisdom of her elders lives on, while her youthful vision ensures these ancestral practices continue to evolve. Supporting young artists like her is essential to preserving the cultural heartbeat of Pueblo jewelry-making, ensuring it thrives for generations to come.

The necklace is made using the ancient heishi technique, one of the oldest jewelry traditions in North America. Each bead—whether turquoise, coral, or shell—is painstakingly shaped, drilled, and polished by hand until smooth and uniform. This demanding process transforms raw materials into strands of flowing beauty, each one resonating with meaning. Turquoise, long revered by Native communities, offers protection and spiritual harmony. Apple coral, with its striking red hue, symbolizes vitality, strength, and the essence of life itself. Pen Shell, a deep brown fan-shaped bivalve from the Gulf of California and Pacific coast of Mexico, enriches the design with grounding energy. Its subtle iridescence has been treasured for centuries, widely used by Zuni, Navajo, and Santo Domingo jewelers in traditional mosaic and inlay work.

Historically, both coral and pen shell entered Native trade networks through exchange with coastal communities, eventually becoming essential materials in Pueblo adornment. By incorporating them into necklaces such as this, Santo Domingo artisans created jewelry that was not only decorative but also deeply symbolic, linking water, earth, and spirit. The harmony of colors, turquoise blue, coral red, and the shimmering depth of pen shell, embodies balance between vitality, protection, and grounding.

This necklace is far more than adornment; it is a story of continuity and resilience. It celebrates the artistry of a younger generation honoring her lineage, while connecting to centuries of craftsmanship rooted in the desert, mountains, and waters that sustain Pueblo life. To wear it is to carry a piece of living history, one shaped by devotion, beauty, and the enduring strength of Native tradition.

Necklace: 19" 

Number of Strands: 3

Made in USA