Santo Domingo Heishi Necklace

26" L

Late 20th Century

Square stones in black, white, light green and turquoise with hook and eye enclosure

Excellent Condition

A Heishi necklace is a traditional form of Native American jewelry, primarily associated with the Santo Domingo (Kewa) Pueblo in New Mexico. The term "heishi" means "shell" in the Keresan language, and originally referred to beads made from shells that were meticulously cut, drilled, ground, and polished into small, uniform discs or cylinders. Today, the term encompasses tiny, handcrafted beads made from various natural materials like turquoise, coral, lapis, jet, and other gemstones, in addition to shells such as olivella, spiny oyster, or mother-of-pearl.