Pendants

Gabe Sice made this graceful corn maiden from antler.  She is wearing a tablita which is worn during ceremony.  She has inlaid coral on her face and neck, and jet eyes.  Her hair and corn kernels are beautiful detailed.  She has a sterling silver lop at the top of the head so she can be worn.  More about corn maidens below.

Size: 2.5" L x .5" w

Female corn beings represent all that is good about being a woman: loving, generous, nurturing, kind, strong with great compassion.  In tribes that traditionally grow corn, most of the stories are the similar.  There are many Indigenous stories about how corn was brought to the people at a time when there was hunger, and how a sacred, sometimes other worldly, female being brought them corn.  In Zuni Pueblo, there are three ages of female corn beings: the maiden who wears her hair in the traditional buns on each side, the mother who has one or more babies, and the elder grandmother who wears her shawl over her head. There are dances to honor the female corn beings in many of the Pueblos.  And in other tribes, she is held in a place of great honor.

Traditionally, Zuni carvings are symbolically fed cornmeal.   Each Zuni fetish comes in a box with a descriptive card and a tiny bit of corn meal to tide them over until they reach you.

This high-grade sugilite pendant was made by Navajo jeweler, Harold James.  The brushed sterling silver is oxidized to highlight the detail in the stamp work and to give it a vintage finish.  The sugilite is very bright and very purple!  The bale is large enough for 12mm beads.  It is stamped "Harold J" and "Sterling" on the back.  

The actual color was challenging to capture, but the stones are a royal purple color.

The sugilite beads range in color from darker royal purple to sugilite "jelly", which is translucent royal purple.  Sugilite jelly is the highest grade of sugilite.  it has ten sterling silver beads with sterling silver accent beads on each side.

Pendant size: 2.5" H x 1.375" W - Stone: 1" H x .875" W

Beads: 18" L with 2" Extender

This smiling bear was made from turquoise with jet eyes and smile by Zuni carver, Claudia Peina.  She inlaid six red coral stones on the body and jet claws.  Just because this bear is smiling doesn't mean it isn't powerful.  A sterling silver bale is on top of its head to be worn or hung.  More about bears below.

Size: 2.5" H x .875" L x .375" W

Bears are the guardians of the western gate in Zuni Pueblo.  They are associated with healing at all levels, protection, and a reminder to restore oneself during the winter months.  In some traditions a part of the bear is rubbed all over infants to imbue them with power, strength, and good health.

Traditionally, Zuni carvings are symbolically fed cornmeal.   Each Zuni fetish comes in a box with a descriptive card and a tiny bit of corn meal to tide them over until they reach you.1

Zuni jeweler, Romero Vacit, made this pendant with a Sunface in the center.  Around the Sunface are feathers which are inlaid with jet and natural Sleeping Beauty turquoise.  The Sunface is inlaid with the same turquoise, red coral, mother of pearl, and jet.  The Sunface is what the sun katsina wears when it dances in Zuni and Hopi Pueblos.

Size: 1" H x .875" W

This  beautiful turquoise stone with golden matrix was set into sterling silver.  Twisted wire encircles the sawtooth bale and around the wired is silver that has been cut to create a design.  The pendant dangles from 4mm sterling silver beads with a lobster claw clasp.  "D" is stamped on the back.  The beads are not handmade.

Size: 2.5" H (includes bale) x 1.25" W

Made by Navajo jeweler, Jeremy Delgarito, two diamond shaped turquoise stones sit on opposite corners of the this sterling silver pendant.  The scene of a mare and her colt, hills, and vegetation are overlayed onto an oxidized silver back.  The pendant is attached to a sterling silver chain.  "J.DELGARITO" and "STERLING" are stamped on the back.

Size:  18" L (includes length of pendant) - Pendant: 2.125" L x .75" H

Many Native American people believe that horses were in North America before the colonizers arrived.  Many Native American people have special relationships with horses, and this was evident during the camps at Standing Rock to protect and defend the river.  They represent freedom and safety in travel.  And for those of us lucky enough to have had a powerful relationship with horses, they make wonderful friends.

Darker blue turquoise sits in a shadow box with sterling vine details with two sterling silver  leaves and a flower.  The pendant is attached at the end of each of the leaves to sterling silver chains that can be adjusted by attaching the spring ring clasp to another link.

Size: 17" L - Pendant: 2" W x 1.375" H

Award-winning Yaqui jeweler Michael Horse created this stunning natural sugilite necklace with a natural Carico Lake turquoise pendant.  The Carico Lake stone is set in sterling silver with a simple sawtooth bezel and three ornamental silver globes.  

The sugilite beads are interspersed with natural red coral and high-grade Sleeping Beauty turquoise.  The beads end with sterling silver cones and a hook and eye clasp.  Not sold separately. 

Beads are 20: Long - Pendant 2" high, includes bale and 1" wide

Michael Horse is an award-winning Yaqui jeweler who uses high quality stones in his work including natural high-grade turquoise, coral, lapis and more.  He is most well-known for the intricate katsinas he fabricates in his studio, and he is a master tufa carver.  He is also an award-winning ledger painter and actor with many roles in television and film.  Many people recognize him from his role as Deputy Hawk in the ground breaking Twin Peaks television series.

This Navajo handmade, sterling silver pendant was part of an older collection of Native American jewelry.  One side is a cut-out Kokopelli playing his flute.  The other side has a natural red coral set with a twisted sterling silver wire around the bezel, a leaf on on side and vines on the other.  It comes on an 18" sterling silver chain.

Size: 1.375" H x .75" W 

It's like getting two sterling silver pendants in one!  On one side is turquoise set in a shadowbox bear paw.  On the other side is spiny oyster shell set in a shadowbox with a leaf on one side.  This is an older Navajo handmade pendant.  Comes with an 18" sterling silver chain. 

Size: 1" H x .675" W

It's like getting two sterling silver pendants in one!  On one side is turquoise set in a shadow box bear paw.  On the other side is Mother of Pearl set in a flower with a leaf on one side.  This is an older Navajo handamde pendant.  Comes with an 18" sterling silver chain. 

Size: 1" H x .675" W

Everett Pino carved this bear from serpentine, also called "fish rock".  It has an inlaid jet heartline which indicates the spirit moving to the heart.  He wrapped it in sterling silver to wear as a pendant.  More about bears below.

Size: 1.5" H x 2.25" L x .25" W

Bears are the guardians of the western gate in Zuni Pueblo.  They are associated with healing at all levels, protection, and a reminder to restore oneself during the winter months.  In some traditions a part of the bear is rubbed all over infants to imbue them with power, strength, and good health.

Double the beauty with this natural Morenci turquoise, sterling silver pendant by Navajo jeweler, Larose Ganadonegro.  The turquoise has white and charcoal gray inclusions which make them look like clouds in the springtime sky.  The silverwork is impeccable, with twisted wire around the bezels, four silver balls which draw the eye, and a repousse star at the bottom.  The bale is large enough for a very large chain, beads, or several strands of smaller beads.  Stamped on the back with Larose's hallmark.  Liquid silver sold separately.

Size: 2.75" L (includes bale) x .75" W - Inner dimension of bale .675"

Zuni jeweler, Tracy Bowekaty, set natural Sleeping Beauty turquoise in a delicate sterling silver saw-tooth bezel surrounded by twisted silver wire.  From each side of the three silver domes on the bottom, stylized silver leaves hold the corn.  The corn kernels are detailed with lapis, malachite, red coral, sugilite, and jet.  The bale is also on the back, along with a .75" long pin with safety catch.  Tracy's initials are engraved onto the back.  

Size: 1.125" H x 1" W

This sterling silver natural turquoise pendant was created by Navajo jeweler, Samuel Yellowhair.  There is twisted silver wire around the bezel and delicately precise cut-outs around the outer edge. The bale is wide enough for a thicker chain or 2mm beads.

Size: 2.25" L includes bale - .875" W

Navajo jeweler, Leon Martinez, set natural Morenci turquoise in this gorgeous sterling silver setting.  The setting includes hand-stamped rays on six small domes, four repousse drops of water, and hand-stamped details on the bottom.  Comes with 2mm sterling silver beads with a lobster claw clasp.  Both the beads and the pendant have been oxidized to give them a vintage look.  Stamped "Leon Mtz" and "STERLING" ON THE BACK.

Size: 2.5" H (with bale) x 1.125" W

Navajo jeweler, Samuel Yellowhair, made this sterling silver pendant with natural Royston turquoise.  The color of the stone is actually a beautiful deep teal color that the camera refused to pick up.  Around the simple bezel is twisted wire, and around the wire are lovely details.  The bale is large enough for 4mm beads or a heavier chain.

Size: 2" H x .875" W - includes bale

This Navajo handmade pendant has a beautiful spiny oyster shell set in sterling silver.  The color of the shell shifts from purple to shades of yellow.  There are eight silver balls soldred onto the bottom of the bezel.  The bale is large enough for 4mm beads or a heavier chain. Chain not included.

Size: 1.875" H x .675" W

This Navajo handmade cobblestone inlay, sterling silver pendant is shaped like and arrow.  The stones are natural high grade Sleeping Beauty turquoise, onyx, and natural red coral.  The bale is large enough to fit a heavier chain.  Cobblestone refers to how the stones are slightly raised, like a cobblestone street.

Size: 1.875" H x .375" W

This Navajo handmade 14kt gold pendant has natural turquoise, deep purple sugilite, blue opal, salmon coral, and jet in a channel inlay setting.  The 10kt, 18" chain is complementary. 

Channel inlay jewelry is a process used extensively by Native American jewelers.  Many other talented jewelers from other tribes in the Southwest also make channel inlay jewelry.  The metal channel, usually silver, is soldered onto the back to create the design.  Afterward, the stones are cut to fit into each section.  It is an exacting process which shows in the beauty of the work of the finished piece(s).

Gabe Sice made this graceful corn maiden from antler.  She hs the two traditional buns on each side of her head.  There is inlaid turquoise and coral on her face and neck.  One maiden has all red coral inlaid on her face and neck.  Her hair and corn kernels are beautiful detailed.  She has a sterling silver lop at the top of the head so she can be worn.  More about corn maidens below.

Size: 2.5" L x .5" w

Female corn beings represent all that is good about being a woman: loving, generous, nurturing, kind, strong with great compassion.  In tribes that traditionally grow corn, most of the stories are the similar.  There are many Indigenous stories about how corn was brought to the people at a time when there was hunger, and how a sacred, sometimes other worldly, female being brought them corn.  In Zuni Pueblo, there are three ages of female corn beings: the maiden who wears her hair in the traditional buns on each side, the mother who has one or more babies, and the elder grandmother who wears her shawl over her head. There are dances to honor the female corn beings in many of the Pueblos.  And in other tribes, she is held in a place of great honor.

Traditionally, Zuni carvings are symbolically fed cornmeal.   Each Zuni fetish comes in a box with a descriptive card and a tiny bit of corn meal to tide them over until they reach you.

Gabe Sice made this graceful corn maiden from antler.  There is inlaid turquoise, coral, and turquoise on her face and neck.  Her hair and corn kernels are beautiful detailed.  She is wearing a tablita, a head piece worn in ceremony.  She has a sterling silver loop at the top of the head so she can be worn.  More about corn maidens below.

Size: 2.25" L x .5" w

Female corn beings represent all that is good about being a woman: loving, generous, nurturing, kind, strong with great compassion.  In tribes that traditionally grow corn, most of the stories are the similar.  There are many Indigenous stories about how corn was brought to the people at a time when there was hunger, and how a sacred, sometimes other worldly, female being brought them corn.  In Zuni Pueblo, there are three ages of female corn beings: the maiden who wears her hair in the traditional buns on each side, the mother who has one or more babies, and the elder grandmother who wears her shawl over her head. There are dances to honor the female corn beings in many of the Pueblos.  And in other tribes, she is held in a place of great honor.

Traditionally, Zuni carvings are symbolically fed cornmeal.   Each Zuni fetish comes in a box with a descriptive card and a tiny bit of corn meal to tide them over until they reach you.

Two perfect natural red coral cabochons in 14kt gold bezels nestle in a shadowbox setting.  Around the coral are four 14kt detailed leafs and a smooth section below.  The gold sits on a sterling silver center back and hook.  Navajo made, MB is stamped on the back.  We believe this piece was made in the 1960s.

Size: 2" H x 1.5" W x .375" D - Coral 1" H x .5" W  &  .675" H x .375" W

This Zuni Feather Spirit pendant is also a pin!  The channel inlay is lapis, spiny oyster shell, natural domestic turquoise, and coral - more about channel inlay below.  The stones are set in a sterling silver overlay shaped feather with spirals and symbols sawed out of the top sheet of silver.  The set turquoise on top of the head has five silver feathers above.  The hallmark on the back is CA. So special!

Size: 2.25" H x .5" W

Channel inlay jewelry is a process used extensively by Native American jewelers, particularly those in Zuni Pueblo.  Many other talented jewelers from other tribes in the Southwest also make channel inlay jewelry.  The metal channel, usually silver, is soldered onto the back to create the design.  Afterward, the stones are cut to fit into each section.  It is an exacting process which shows in the beauty of the work of the finished piece(s).

This natural Morenci turquoise pendant is absolutely gorgeous!  The color is a deep teal turquoise with small areas of grey and green.  It was made by Navajo jeweler, LaRosa Ganadonegro and the setting is impeccable.  The bale is large enough for 30mm beads or several strands of smaller beads.  

Size: 3.5" Long with bale, pendant is 2.625" L x 1.75" W

This sterling silver overlay Butterfly Maiden was made by Hopi jeweler, Frank Lahaleon.  She is so beautiful!  She has a feather tied into her hair, face paint, and is holding a bow with two ears of corn.  Her dress has traditional designs and she is wearing mocassins with leg wraps.  Her butterfly wings have traditional designs which include water, lightening, mountains, snow, and whirlwinds.  It has a 1.25" pin on the back, as well as a loop for a chain.  More about the overlay technique below.

Size: 3" H x 1.5" W

Hopi Overlay  Overlay jewelry is made by sawing out two sheets of sterling silver or gold the same size.  Hopi jewelers texture the bottom sheet with hatch marks.  It is then oxidized to turn it black.  The design is drawn on to the top sheet of silver which is then carefully sawed out with a fine jeweler's saw. The edges are filed smooth.  The top piece is soldered on to the bottom piece.  Sometimes, there are many small pieces that are also soldered on to the bottom sheet of silver.  It is then polished to a high sheen.  Overlay is very labor intensive!

We love the tufa cast jewelry by Gary Custer, and this one is especially nice.  The naja has a crown in which a beautiful forest green natural variscite stone is nestled.  The bale hook on the back can slip over beads or it can hang on a chain.  In addition to being tufa cast, it has also been lightly oxidized to give it a depth.  This naja is fit for a queen!  The beads are sold separately.  More about najas and tufa cast jewelry below.

Size: 3" x 2.375"

Najas are a prominent symbol in Navajo jewelry and are always the center piece in squash blossom necklaces.  I was told they are a feminine symbol, and their crescent shape represents the arms of a matriarch and the generations of the past and future.  It symbolizes ease of movement, paths of least resistance for the family, even during challenging times.  There is a sense of open arms in the shape of the naja that is soothing.  Some najas have hands on each end.

Tufa Cast Jewelry: Tufa is a volcanic stone which can be as dense as chalk which has an organic texture. The first thing a jeweler does is examine a piece of tufa for any tiny fractures.  If it looks good, the tufa is cut in half and, if there is a design, it is carved into the tufa.   There is a pour hole carved into the top and several narrow vents carved into each side.  The two pieces are then bound together tightly and molten silver or gold is poured through the hole at the top.  If there are any microscopic cracks, the tufa explodes when the metal is poured in and the process has to begin again. 

Harrison Bitsue made this traditional Navajo naja using the tufa cast technique.  He hand-stamped the designs near the top that appear to be the rays of the sun with tassles on each each end.  A bright blue turquoise stone is set in the center.  The naja has been oxidized to give it a vintage appearance.  The hook on the back can slip over just about any size necklace.  It does not come with the necklace shown.  More about najas and the tufa cast technique.

Size: 2.5" H x 2.375" W

Najas are a prominent symbol in Navajo jewelry and are always the center piece in squash blossom necklaces.  I was told they are a feminine symbol, and their crescent shape represents the arms of a matriarch and the generations of the past and future.  It symbolizes ease of movement, paths of least resistance for the family, even during challenging times.  There is a sense of open arms in the shape of the naja that is soothing.  Some najas have hands on each end.

Tufa Jewelry: Tufa is a volcanic stone which can be as dense as chalk which has an organic texture. The first thing a jeweler does is examine a piece of tufa for any tiny fractures.  If it looks good, the tufa is cut in half and, if there is a design, it is carved into the tufa.   There is a pour hole carved into the top and several narrow vents carved into each side.  The two pieces are then bound together tightly and molten silver or gold is poured through the hole at the top.  If there are any microscopic cracks, the tufa explodes when the metal is poured in and the process has to begin again. 

This beautifully balanced sterling silver turtle pendant has a hook on the back.  As you can see, it can hook on to many different sizes of beads.  It is signed "NF" on the back.  While this is a the type of overlay jewelry technique that Hopi jewelers are famous for, we do not know if it is Hopi made.  The turquoise beads are sold separately.  More about the Hopi overlay technique and turtles below.

Size: 1.75"  x 1.25" W

Traditional Hopi overlay jewelry begins as two sheets of sterling silver.  The shape of the piece is hand sawn out.  The bottom sheet is etched by hand hand and then oxidized to make it black.  The designs on the top sheet are sawn out by hand and soldered onto the bottom.  This piece was then shaped into a slight dome.

Turtles have their own homes on their backs which means that wherever they are, they are home.  They are associated with safety.  When attacked they retreat into their shells, although some turtles have strong enough mouths to snap a finger.  For most Native American nations in North America, turtles represent Mother Earth.  Every turtle shell has 13 sections on top which some Native Americans say represent the 13 moons of each year.

Navajo jeweler, Ben Begay, made this sterling silver eagle feather.  He beautifully detailed the feather.  There are two repousse domed stars under the wrapped quill.  The quill is wrapped with sterling silver wire and the end dangles onto the feather.  More about eagle feathers below. 

Size: 3.5" L x 2.5" W

The eagle flies the highest and sees the furthest of all birds.  In some tribes it is the guardian of the sky world.  Eagle feathers are held sacred because the eagle takes our prayers to the Creator.  Native American people receive eagle feathers to honor them for their accomplishments, act of courage or bravery.

This tufa cast naja was made by Navajo silversmith Kevin Yazzie.  It has graceful, yet strong lines.  The three arrow points at the top are polished to a high sheen and make a very cool contrast to the organic texture of the organic texture from the tufa.  The hook on the back cannot be seen from the front, and can be hooked onto your favorite necklace or chain.  The beads do not come with it.  This is one of the most beautiful tufa cast najas we've ever seen!   Najas are worn by women and men.  More about najas and tufa cast jewelry below.

Size: 3" H x 2" W

Najas are a prominent symbol in Navajo jewelry and are always the center piece in squash blossom necklaces.  I was told they are a feminine symbol, and their crescent shape represents the arms of a matriarch and the generations of the past and future.  It symbolizes ease of movement, paths of least resistance for the family, even during challenging times.  There is a sense of open arms in the shape of the naja that is soothing.  Some najas have hands on each end.

Tufa Jewelry: Tufa is a volcanic stone which can be as dense as chalk which has an organic texture. The first thing a jeweler does is examine a piece of tufa for any tiny fractures.  If it looks good, the tufa is cut in half and, if there is a design, it is carved into the tufa.   There is a pour hole carved into the top and several narrow vents carved into each side.  The two pieces are then bound tightly together and molten silver or gold is poured through the hole at the top.  If there are any microscopic cracks, the tufa explodes when the metal is poured in and the process has to begin again. 

The silver setting of this Navajo inlaid pendant has delicate cut outs on the left and right, showcasing the inlay.  The stones are spiny oyster shell on top, followed by sterling silver, jet, white clam shell, turquoise, and lapis.  The bale is large enough for a medium size chain or cord.  Stamped "PLL" on the back.

Size: 1.75" H x .625" W

This very traditional Zuni Pueblo pendant is signed by TJ.  The traditional stones are used: red coral, Sleeping Beauty turquoise, jet and mother of pearl.  The stones are set in sterling silver with braided silver wire all around the stones.  The bale would fit a thick silver chain or 4mm beads.  Price reduced from $290 to $250!

Size: 2.875" H x 1.625" W 

Each stone is cut to fit exactly into the other like a puzzle.  Even the thin black jet lines are cut to size and inlaid.

This stunning pendant has red, purple and pink spiny oyster shell with splashes of Sleeping Beauty turquoise set in brushed sterling silver.  The bale is large enough for two or three strands of 4mm beads, a thick chain, or 8-10mm beads.  This pendant is a reminder to the wearer of the vitality of water...water is life!  Price drop from $490 to $420!

Size: 3.75" H x 1.25" W