Kewa Pueblo Mosaic Inlay Earrings

Kewa Pueblo jeweler, Mary Louise Tafoya made these colorful mosaic inlay earrings. People we know who have them always receive compliments on them. The stones include turquoise, dolomite, serpentine, lepidolite, lapis, sugilite, and spiny oyster shell. They dangle from sterling silver wires. More about Kewa Pueblo mosaic inlay below.

Size: 2" H x .675" W

Mosaic Inlay Jewelers from Kewa Pueblo have been creating mosaic inlay jewelry for over a thousand years.  Some of the ancient Kewa jewelry can seem quite modern in their designs.  The stones, and/or shell, are cut into shapes which are then put together like a puzzle on a backing.  The backing can be shell, jet, or other materials like records or sheets of plastic which was used during times when materials were hard to come by.  Prior to colonization and the use of metals in Native American jewelry making, the earrings were hung on handmade string.