Turquoise Spiny Oyster and Baby Olive Shell Heishi Jacla Necklace Santo Domingo

This magnificent necklace embodies the artistry and traditions of Pueblo and Navajo jewelry-making, blending the vibrant beauty of Kingman turquoise, the fiery tones of spiny oyster shell, and the earthy elegance of baby olive shell heishi. Each bead is meticulously hand-shaped, polished, and strung, continuing one of the oldest jewelry traditions of North America, heishi beadwork, which dates back thousands of years. This particular necklace was made for us by a female artisan who specializes in jaclas. She is like a member of our family. Jean Marie our founder has been to her home and toured the Kewa Pueblo with her and we love to patronize her art!

At the center hangs the Jacla, two looped strands of turquoise that extend as pendants. Historically, jaclas were worn as earrings and later repurposed as pendants on necklaces, symbolizing not only adornment but also spiritual connection. Their presence reflects both tradition and ceremony, linking the wearer to generations of cultural heritage.

The Kingman turquoise, sourced from Arizona’s historic mines, is one of the most sought-after varieties of turquoise, celebrated for its radiant sky-blue hues and protective qualities. For Native peoples, turquoise is a sacred stone of healing, strength, and harmony, seen as a bridge between the sky and the water. The spiny oyster shell, harvested from the waters of the Gulf of California, adds vibrant reds and oranges, symbolizing life force, resilience, and the power of the ocean. The baby olive shell heishi represents one of the earliest jewelry materials used by Pueblo artisans, associated with water, renewal, and abundance.

Together, these elements create a necklace that is both visually stunning and spiritually profound, a balance of earth, sea, and sky. The Kingman Turquoise Spiny Oyster and Baby Olive Shell Heishi Jacla Necklace is not merely jewelry, but a living expression of tradition, identity, and cultural resilience, carrying forward the artistry of ancestors into the present day.

Number of Strands: 5

Necklace Length including the Jacla: 20"

Made in USA