Vintage Turquoise Circular Disc and Heishi Necklace Santo Domingo

This Vintage Graduated Turquoise and Heishi Necklace is a breathtaking example of authentic Santo Domingo craftsmanship, a fusion of artistry, heritage, and the timeless beauty of turquoise. Handcrafted in the 1970s by a Santo Domingo Pueblo artisan, this necklace embodies generations of tradition, where every bead tells a story of culture, spirit, and the land itself.

The turquoise beads are carefully graduated and hand-shaped, each one displaying the captivating shades of the Southwest, from rich cerulean to the softer, sky-like blues that collectors prize most. These stones are believed to have been cut from high-grade American mines, possibly Sleeping Beauty or Kingman, both renowned for producing some of the purest turquoise ever found. The Sleeping Beauty mine in Arizona, now long closed, yielded turquoise of an almost ethereal sky-blue hue, stones so fine and uniform in color that they’ve become exceptionally rare and highly sought after by collectors and connoisseurs alike.

Between each turquoise disc rests traditional hand-rolled heishi, shell beads a hallmark of Santo Domingo jewelry-making for centuries. This contrast of vibrant turquoise and earthy shell reflects the balance of sky and earth, a core principle in Pueblo symbolism. The Santo Domingo people (now known as the Kewa Pueblo) have perfected this art over generations, using only natural materials and time-honored techniques to create jewelry that resonates with both cultural meaning and natural elegance.

In Native tradition, turquoise has long been considered a sacred stone, a bridge between the physical and spiritual worlds. It represents protection, healing, and connection to the sky. For the Pueblo peoples, turquoise also signifies water and abundance, carrying blessings from the earth and heavens alike. Each bead, shaped and polished by hand, retains that deep, elemental connection.

This necklace is not merely vintage jewelry, it’s a living artifact of Native artistry, created at a time when every piece was made by hand and infused with meaning. The subtle irregularities of the beads, the warmth of the heishi, and the graduated flow of turquoise combine to create a design that feels organic, balanced, and deeply human.

The Vintage Graduated Turquoise and Heishi Necklace – Santo Domingo is a rare treasure, a testament to craftsmanship, culture, and the enduring beauty of genuine turquoise. Whether displayed as a collector’s piece or worn as a statement of authenticity and heritage, it embodies the essence of the Southwest and the timeless artistry of the Santo Domingo people.

Bead size range from: 10.7mm - 19.5mm

Weight: 3.4oz / 96gr

Length: 28"

Made in USA