Turquoise with Orange Spiny Oyster Shell Necklace Santo Domingo

Our Turquoise with Orange Spiny Oyster Shell Necklace is a vibrant celebration of Pueblo artistry, ancestral knowledge, and the living future of Native jewelry-making. The strand begins with turquoise heishi beads, stones that have become increasingly difficult to source as mines close and high-quality material grows ever more scarce. For Pueblo artisans, turquoise has long been revered and guarded as a sacred stone of protection, balance, and connection to the sky and water, making every bead far more than decorative, it is deeply symbolic.

At the heart of the necklace, warm orange spiny oyster shell fans outward in an elegant, sculptural arc. Spiny oyster, harvested from the Sea of Cortez, has been used for generations in Southwestern jewelry for its bold color and organic texture. Its rich orange hue represents vitality, creativity, and life force, offering a striking contrast to the cool blues of turquoise. The graduated, fan-like shape of the necklace creates movement and presence, framing the collarbone beautifully and making it a natural focal point whether worn casually or dressed up.

What makes this necklace especially meaningful is the story behind its maker. It was handcrafted by the granddaughter of one of our most celebrated artisans, a young woman carrying forward the traditions she learned by watching her elders work at the table, stone by stone. In her hands, ancestral wisdom meets fresh perspective, ensuring these time-honored techniques do not fade, but instead continue to evolve. Supporting young artists like her is essential to preserving the cultural heartbeat of Pueblo jewelry-making, safeguarding it for generations to come.

This necklace is as wearable as it is expressive. It pairs effortlessly with simple linen dresses, crisp white shirts, or layered kaftans, adding color, heritage, and soul to any look. More than an accessory, it is a story you wear, a testament to resilience, craftsmanship, and the beauty that emerges when tradition is honored and the future is nurtured.

Length: 21"

Weigth: 1 oz /  28gr 

Bead size: 2.9mm - 4.5mm 

Made in USA