White Clam Shell Necklace Santo Domingo

Our White Clam Shell Necklace from Santo Domingo (Kewa) Pueblo is a beautiful expression of simplicity, tradition, and exceptional craftsmanship. Handcrafted exclusively for our collection by a talented female Santo Domingo artisan, this graceful multi-strand necklace was commissioned by Jean Marie to celebrate one of the oldest and most cherished jewelry-making traditions in North America. With its luminous white clam shell beads and flowing silhouette, it captures the timeless beauty of the Southwest while remaining effortlessly sophisticated.

For Jean Marie, pieces like this are deeply personal. Over the years, she has built meaningful friendships with the artisans she works alongside, returning time and again to commission jewelry that honors their traditions while preserving the authenticity of their craft. When she visited this artisan, she was drawn to the quiet refinement of white clam shell, its natural beauty needing no embellishment. She commissioned this necklace specifically because she believes the finest jewelry often speaks softly, allowing the artistry and materials to tell their own story.

White clam shell has been treasured by Native peoples of the Southwest for centuries and has long played an important role in Santo Domingo jewelry. Traditionally sourced from shells gathered along the Pacific coast and the Sea of Cortez, each shell is carefully cut into small discs, individually drilled, and meticulously shaped by hand before being polished into smooth, luminous beads. This labor-intensive process requires remarkable patience and precision, preserving a technique that has been passed down through generations of Santo Domingo families. Every bead carries subtle natural variations, reminding us that no two shells, and no two necklaces, are ever exactly alike.

The multiple strands create graceful movement while highlighting the soft ivory glow of the clam shell, making the necklace equally striking worn alone or layered with turquoise, silver, or other Southwestern favorites. The artisan's signature turquoise accent near the top of one strand serves as a quiet hallmark of authenticity, a beautiful reminder of the hands that created it.

More than a necklace, this is a celebration of heritage, craftsmanship, and enduring relationships. It reflects the centuries-old artistry of Santo Domingo Pueblo, the natural beauty of white clam shell, and Jean Marie's lifelong passion for seeking out meaningful pieces directly from Native artisans. Elegant, timeless, and deeply rooted in tradition, this is a necklace to wear often, treasure always, and pass down as a lasting heirloom for generations to come.

Five Strands

18" from nape of neck

Made in New Mexico, USA

Weight 5.3 oz