Navajo Contemporary Spiny Oyster and Sterling Silver Pendant by Elouise Kee

Description Traditional handmade Native American Indian Jewelry from Indigenous Pueblos of the Southwest. Guaranteed authentic. Excellent condition. Anchor your collection with the fiery energy of the Pacific in this handcrafted sterling silver pendant by acclaimed Navajo artisan Elouise Kee. This piece features a vibrant, teardrop-shaped spiny oyster shell cabochon, prized for its intense orange and striated cream hues. The shell is secured in a classic sawtooth bezel and framed by a sophisticated array of silverwork, including a hand-twisted wire rope border and a clean, high-polish sterling silver rim. This listing is for the pendant only; it features a generous, flared bail designed to slide effortlessly onto your favorite silver chain or a strand of traditional Navajo pearls. Elouise Kee’s contemporary aesthetic is defined by its precision and its deep respect for natural materials. While traditional Navajo jewelry often focuses on the “Sky Stone” (turquoise), modern masters like Kee frequently incorporate spiny oyster shell—a material with a thousand-year history in Indigenous trade—to bring warmth and movement to their designs. The deliberate use of oxidation in the recesses of the silverwork provides a beautiful sense of depth, ensuring that the brilliant orange of the shell remains the undisputed focal point. For the collector, this pendant represents a perfect marriage of ancient trade materials and the refined, technical excellence of modern Diné silversmithing.