Vintage Santo Domingo (Kewa) Turquoise and Shell Necklace

Description Traditional handmade Native American Indian Jewelry from Indigenous Pueblos of the Southwest. Guaranteed authentic. Excellent vintage condition. Embrace the rustic charm of the Southwest with this authentic vintage Santo Domingo (Kewa) multi-strand necklace. This piece features a vibrant collection of natural turquoise chunks, showcasing a breathtaking range of colors from soft seafoam green to deep sky blue, each with its own unique earthy matrix. These turquoise focal points are expertly strung alongside fine, hand-cut white shell heishi beads that provide a clean, bright contrast. The necklace is finished with traditional hand-wrapped “squaw wrap” cotton cording at the neckline, ensuring a comfortable, historical fit that highlights the raw beauty of the natural materials. The Santo Domingo Pueblo (Kewa) is legendary for its long history of bead-making, a craft that predates European contact and has been perfected over countless generations. This specific style of necklace, utilizing hand-ground shell and raw turquoise nuggets, is a hallmark of Kewa artistry, representing a deep cultural connection to the land and the sky. In the Pueblo tradition, turquoise is a sacred stone of protection and life, while shell represents the precious gift of water. Authentic vintage pieces like this are highly sought after by collectors for their organic aesthetic, their impressive weight, and their role as a central pillar of Native American jewelry history.