Jewelry

Our estimate is that this necklace was made in the 1970s.  The turquoise is a rich turquoise blue with shades of green.  The jaclas are an even richer and deeper turquoise with clam shell corn beads on the bottom.  The beads end with oxidized sterling silver beads and a hook and eye clasp.  What a beauty!

Size: Necklace 19.5" Long - does not include 5" long Jaclas 

These earrings by Navajo jeweler Billy Archuleta are actually a darker green than the photo shows, more like an darker olive green.  They dangle from sterling silver wires and would look great with a green turquoise turquoise necklace or on their own.

Size: 2.675" H x 1" W

Torevia Crespin hand-rolled catlinite, jet, turquoise, and clam shell to make these striking earrings.  They dangle from sterling silver wires.  More about hand-rolled beads below.

Size: 2.675" H (includes wire) x .25" W

Hand-rolled beads are made by chipping out pieces of stone or shell.  A hole is drilled into the center of each chip.  The chips are strung on a wire and rolled, and rolled, and rolled until they are all the same width.  Sometimes they are graduated – a difficult task!  They are then polished until smooth.  There are hand-rolled necklaces from Kewa Pueblo that are over a thousand years old.  In the “old days”, the holes were drilled with a hand-pump drill, strung on handmade string, and rolled on sandstone.   There is nothing quite like hand-rolled Kewa beads!

Many of the Pueblos in New Mexico took on Spanish names after colonization and are now taking back their original names.  Kewa Pueblo is the traditional name of the place and the people.  It was known as Santo Domingo Pueblo for many, many years.

Torevia Crespin hand-rolled  jet, turquoise, and clam shell to make these striking earrings.  They dangle from sterling silver wires.  More about hand-rolled beads below.

Size: 2.675" H (includes wire) x .25" W

Hand-rolled beads are made by chipping out pieces of stone or shell.  A hole is drilled into the center of each chip.  The chips are strung on a wire and rolled, and rolled, and rolled until they are all the same width.  Sometimes they are graduated – a difficult task!  They are then polished until smooth.  There are hand-rolled necklaces from Kewa Pueblo that are over a thousand years old.  In the “old days”, the holes were drilled with a hand-pump drill, strung on handmade string, and rolled on sandstone.   There is nothing quite like hand-rolled Kewa beads!

Many of the Pueblos in New Mexico took on Spanish names after colonization and are now taking back their original names.  Kewa Pueblo is the traditional name of the place and the people.  It was known as Santo Domingo Pueblo for many, many years.

Torevia Crespin hand-rolled clam shell,  jet, and turquoise to make these striking earrings.  They dangle from sterling silver wires.  More about hand-rolled beads below.

Size: 2.675" H (includes wire) x .25" W

Hand-rolled beads are made by chipping out pieces of stone or shell.  A hole is drilled into the center of each chip.  The chips are strung on a wire and rolled, and rolled, and rolled until they are all the same width.  Sometimes they are graduated – a difficult task!  They are then polished until smooth.  There are hand-rolled necklaces from Kewa Pueblo that are over a thousand years old.  In the “old days”, the holes were drilled with a hand-pump drill, strung on handmade string, and rolled on sandstone.   There is nothing quite like hand-rolled Kewa beads!

Many of the Pueblos in New Mexico took on Spanish names after colonization and are now taking back their original names.  Kewa Pueblo is the traditional name of the place and the people.  It was known as Santo Domingo Pueblo for many, many years.

Each of these spectacular sterling silver earrings boast twenty-two tear drops and one central round top-grade red coral.  They were handmade by Zuni jeweler B. Natewa and are signed on the back.  

Size: 1.5" Diameter

These could be your every day earrings!  The center handmade barrel beads have delicately stamped designs with round handmade beads on the top and bottom.  They dangle from sterling silver wires. 

Size: 1.675" H x .25" W - includes wires

Kewa Pueblo jeweler Torevia Crespin hand-rolled clam and melon shell, catlinite, jet, and turquoise to make this necklace.  The beads end with a sterling silver hook-and-eye clasp.  More about hand-rolled beads below.

Size: 25" Long

Hand-rolled beads are made by chipping out pieces of stone or shell.  A hole is drilled into the center of each chip.  The chips are strung on a wire and rolled, and rolled, and rolled until they are all the same width.  Sometimes they are graduated – a difficult task!  They are then polished until smooth.  There are hand-rolled necklaces from Kewa Pueblo that are over a thousand years old.  In the “old days”, the holes were drilled with a hand-pump drill, strung on handmade string, and rolled on sandstone.   There is nothing quite like hand-rolled Kewa beads!

Many of the Pueblos in New Mexico took on Spanish names after colonization and are now taking back their original names.  Kewa Pueblo is the traditional name of the place and the people.  It was known as Santo Domingo Pueblo for many, many years.

Navajo jeweler Marcella Castillo made these pink mussel shield earrings and carved three feathers with turquoise accents to dangle off each one.  They dangle from sterling silver wires in style!

Size: 1.875" H x .675" W includes wires

Navajo jeweler Marcella Castillo made these turquoise shield earrings and carved three feathers to dangle off each one.  They dangle from sterling silver wires in style!

Size: 1.75" H x .675" W

These shield earrings were made by Navajo jeweler Marcella Castillo.  The silver shields have hand stamped designs on them.  The feathers are hand carved of abalone shell and dangle on silver wire with turquoise accents.  The ear wires are sterling silver.  These are very light!

Size: 1.675" H x .5" W

These shield earrings were made by Navajo jeweler Marcella Castillo.  The silver shields have hand stamped designs on them.  The feathers are hand carved of abalone shell and dangle on silver wire with turquoise accents.  Some of the abalone are more shimmering shades of purple and pink.  The ear wires are sterling silver.  These are very light!

Size: 1.675" H x .5" W

Lightweight and lovely, these delicate sterling silver squash blossom earrings were made by Navajo jeweler, Shirley Johnson.  They have been polished to a high sheen.  The blossoms are attached to handmade sterling silver beads and the posts have been beautifully stamped with sunrays.  They dangle from sterling silver wires.

Size: 1.25" L x .375" W - includes wire

This sweet sterling silver bracelet features a blue bird with flowers, leaves and a branch.  It is a mid-century piece possibly by Navajo jeweler Benjamin Becenti.  There are fans with stamp-work on each side of the triple shank cuff.  What a beauty!

Size: 5.25" long with 1.25" opening

These natural Royston turquoise earrings were made Jay Jacob Livingston.  The stones are absolutely gorgeous!  The camera picked up stronger colors than the actual stones which are a bit more muted, but still the colors of the Caribbean ocean.  These are absolutely stunning earrings.

Size: 1.375" H x .875" W

This hand-rolled beads necklace was made by Mary Coriz from Kewa Pueblo.  Materials include jet, melon shell, and colorful beads.  The beads end with a traditional wrap which makes wearing it very comfortable.  More about hand-rolled Kewa Pueblo beads below.

Size: 34" Long

Hand Rolled Beads Hand-rolled beads are made by chipping out pieces of stone or shell.  A hole is drilled into the center of each chip.  The chips are strung on a wire and rolled, and rolled, and rolled until they are all the same width.  Sometimes they are graduated – a difficult task!  They are then polished until smooth.  There are hand-rolled necklaces from Kewa Pueblo that are over a thousand years old.  In the “old days”, the holes were drilled with a hand-pump drill, strung on handmade string, and rolled on sandstone.   There is nothing quite like hand-rolled Kewa beads!

Many of the Pueblos in New Mexico took on Spanish names after colonization and are now taking back their original names.  Kewa Pueblo is the traditional name of the place and the people.  It was known as Santo Domingo Pueblo for many, many years.

Ten strands of hand-rolled jet beads is luscious!  Colorful beads are interspersed, giving the necklace a fiesta of color!  It was made by Mary Coriz from Kewa Pueblo.  The beads end with a traditional wrap which makes wearing it very comfortable.  More about hand-rolled Kewa Pueblo beads below.

Size: 34" Long

Hand Rolled Beads Hand-rolled beads are made by chipping out pieces of stone or shell.  A hole is drilled into the center of each chip.  The chips are strung on a wire and rolled, and rolled, and rolled until they are all the same width.  Sometimes they are graduated – a difficult task!  They are then polished until smooth.  There are hand-rolled necklaces from Kewa Pueblo that are over a thousand years old.  In the “old days”, the holes were drilled with a hand-pump drill, strung on handmade string, and rolled on sandstone.   There is nothing quite like hand-rolled Kewa beads!

Many of the Pueblos in New Mexico took on Spanish names after colonization and are now taking back their original names.  Kewa Pueblo is the traditional name of the place and the people.  It was known as Santo Domingo Pueblo for many, many years.

This five strand necklace was made by Ramona Bird.  She hand-rolled graduated colors of  pen shell and clam shell which ends in a sterling silver clasp.  Hand-rolled beads are very labor intensive - more about that below.

Size: 24" Long

This five strand necklace was made by Ramona Bird.  She hand-rolled graduated colors of  pen shell and clam shell which ends in a sterling silver clasp.  Hand-rolled beads are very labor intensive - more about that below.

Size: 24" Long

There are very few, if any, Kewa Pueblo jewelers who make the thinnest hand-rolled beads anymore.  Wilbert Calabaza may be the last person making them and they are like wearing colored air.  This ten strand necklace is made from white and tan shell and turquoise.  It has a hook and eye clasp.  More about Kewa Pueblo hand-rolled beads below.

Size: 23" Long

Hand-rolled beads are made by chipping out pieces of stone or shell.  A hole is drilled into the center of each chip.  The chips are strung on a wire and rolled, and rolled, and rolled until they are all the same width.  Sometimes they are graduated – a difficult task!  They are then polished until smooth.  There are hand-rolled necklaces from Kewa Pueblo that are over a thousand years old.  In the “old days”, the holes were drilled with a hand-pump drill, strung on handmade string, and rolled on sandstone.   There is nothing quite like hand-rolled Kewa beads!

Many of the Pueblos in New Mexico took on Spanish names after colonization and are now taking back their original names.  Kewa Pueblo is the traditional name of the place and the people.  It was known as Santo Domingo Pueblo for many, many years.

Lightweight and lovely, these earrings by Navajo jeweler, Shirley Johnson, are polished to a high sheen.  They dangle from sterling silver wires.

Size: 1.675" L (Includes wire) x .675 W

The turquoise in this necklace is the colors of plants in springtime.  A variety of rich greens that are soothing.  It's nice and long and you could put a lighter weight pendant with a wider bale on it.

Size: 31.25" Long - Beads .125" Wide

Navajo jeweler, Pauline Armstrong, made these earrings with concentric circles at the top and set a small turquoise nugget at the top.  Attached to the larger circle on the bottom dangle eleven graduated silver wires with flattened ends.  We like to think the dangles represent rain because, as we all know, water is life.

Size: 3.25" H x 1.125" W

Kewa Pueblo jeweler, Torevia Crespin, hand-rolled pen shell heishi, jet, catlinite, and turquoise to create this necklace.  Hand-rolling beads is quite a process and is detailed below.  The beads end with a sterling silver hook and eye clasp.

Size: 24.75" Long

Hand-rolled beads are made by chipping out pieces of stone or shell.  A hole is drilled into the center of each chip.  The chips are strung on a wire and rolled, and rolled, and rolled until they are all the same width.  Sometimes they are graduated – a difficult task!  They are then polished until smooth.  There are hand-rolled necklaces from Kewa Pueblo that are over a thousand years old.  In the “old days”, the holes were drilled with a hand-pump drill, strung on handmade string, and rolled on sandstone.   There is nothing quite like hand-rolled Kewa beads!

Many of the Pueblos in New Mexico took on Spanish names after colonization and are now taking back their original names.  Kewa Pueblo is the traditional name of the place and the people.  It was known as Santo Domingo Pueblo for many, many years.

Kewa Pueblo jeweler, Torevia Crespin, hand-rolled melon shell, jet, catlinite, and turquoise to create this necklace.  Hand-rolling beads is quite a process and is detailed below.  The beads end with a sterling silver hook and eye clasp.

Size: 24" Long

Hand-rolled beads are made by chipping out pieces of stone or shell.  A hole is drilled into the center of each chip.  The chips are strung on a wire and rolled, and rolled, and rolled until they are all the same width.  Sometimes they are graduated – a difficult task!  They are then polished until smooth.  There are hand-rolled necklaces from Kewa Pueblo that are over a thousand years old.  In the “old days”, the holes were drilled with a hand-pump drill, strung on handmade string, and rolled on sandstone.   There is nothing quite like hand-rolled Kewa beads!

Many of the Pueblos in New Mexico took on Spanish names after colonization and are now taking back their original names.  Kewa Pueblo is the traditional name of the place and the people.  It was known as Santo Domingo Pueblo for many, many years.

These light-weight, sterling silver earrings were made by Navajo jeweler, Delmar Armstrong.  She set bright blue turquoise in below the wires.  The dangles on the bottom represent the blessing of water and rain.

Size: 2.5" (includes wires) x .75"

Navajo jeweler, Robert Yazzie, made these beautifully detailed Thunderbird earrings.  Kingman turquoise is set in the post and on the chest of the Thunderbird.  There is beautifully detailed stamp-work on the posts, wings, and tail.  They are signed on the back.  More about Thunderbirds below.

Size: 2.375" H x 1.25" W

Thunderbirds are intelligent forces of nature with the power of thunder.  They are associated with lightening and rain.

These bold, oxidized, sterling silver Thunderbird earrings were made by Navajo jeweler, Gabrielle Yazzie.  There is a repousse star in the center of the chest, and stamp work on the wings and tail.  They dangle from sterling silver wires.  Turquoise stones are set in the domed posts.  They are signed on the back.  More about Thunderbirds below.  

Size: 2.675" H (includes posts) x 1.25" W

Thunderbirds are intelligent forces of nature with the power of thunder.  They are associated with lightening and rain.

These sterling silver earrings by Leander Tahe are shaped like the four directions and have hand-stamped clouds around each repousse design.  The earrings are oxidized which makes the designs pop!  They dangle from sterling silver wires.

Size: 2.25H (includes wires) x 1.675" W

So many shades of green, from dark lime to dark olive with matrix of gold and dark gray!  The beads are many different sizes and shapes artfully strung to create a visual song.  They end with a sterling silver head nestled into sterling silver cones with a hook and eye clasp. 

Size: 25.5" Long - Largest bead is .5" L x .75" W with smallest bead 2mm

You could wear these sterling silver eagle feathers post earrings every day!  These half-hoop, sterling silver post earrings were made by Navajo jeweler, Chester Charlie.  More about eagle feathers below.

Size: 1" L x .325" W

Eagle feathers are sacred to Native American people.  The eagle flies closest to the Creator and sees everything happening below.  The people pray with eagle feathers with the understanding that the feathers will take the prayers to the Creator.  Eagle feathers should not be dropped on the ground, but if they are, they are blessed before being used again.

The depression era Thunderbird necklace so cool!  It is made from natural turquoise inlayed with bone, hard rubber, and possibly plastic which was common at that time when natural stones were hard to come by.  Four inlaid tabs are on each side.  It has been  restrung on string and ends with a sterling silver lobster clasp.  We estimate it was made in the 1930s to 1940s.  More about Thunderbirds below.  

Size: 22" Long 

Thunderbirds are  intelligent forces of nature with the power of thunder and storms.  They are associated with lightening and rain.

White, beige, turquoise, orange, red, black, and silver beads make up this Navajo handmade beaded bracelet.  The leather on the inside is sewn onto a flexible band.  Three eagle feathers grace each side.  Such a beauty!

Size: .75" W x 6" and 1.5" opening

This 10 strand, rainbow fiesta necklace with multi-colored beads is so affordable and fun!  It can be worn loose as shown or twisted.  Made by Jacqueline Coriz from Kewa Pueblo in New Mexico, it ends with sterling silver cones and a lobster clasp.

Size: 22" Long

This 10 strand, cobalt blue necklace with multi-colored beads is so affordable and fun!  It can be worn loose as shown or twisted.  Made by Jacqueline Coriz from Kewa Pueblo in New Mexico, it ends with sterling silver cones and a lobster clasp.

Size: 22" Long

This 10 strand, golden necklace with multi-colored beads is so affordable and fun!  It can worn loose or twisted.  Made by Jacqueline Coriz from Kewa Pueblo in New Mexico, it ends with sterling silver cones and a lobster clasp.

Size: 22" Long

This 10 strand, primarily black necklace with multi-colored beads is so affordable and fun!  It can be worn loose twisted.  Made by Jacqueline Coriz from Kewa Pueblo in New Mexico, it ends with sterling silver cones and a lobster clasp.

Size: 22" Long