Kewa Pueblo Mosaic Inlay Earrings

Kewa Pueblo jeweler, Lupita Calabaza, made these mosaic inlay earrings.  The turquoise is a soft minty green and darker green color.  We love how she inlaid the tan shell and spiny oyster shell onto the backs of jet.  They dangle from sterling silver wires.

Size: 1.75" H x .875" 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 done 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.