Pueblo neckwear refers to Zuñi chokers and necklaces, squash blossom necklaces and Santo Domingo (Kewa) necklaces. Necklaces are made using stones or shells as opposed to all-silver traditional Zuñi and Navajo neckwear. Several Native American tribes are known for their unique neckwear designs. Foremost is the so-called ‘squash blossom’ necklaces, primarily made by Navajo and Zuñi jewelers. Another distinctive type of Native American neckwear is made with stones and shells. This neckwear is dominated by two Native American tribes – Zuñi and Kewa, aka Santo Domingo.
To view our Pueblo neckwear galleries, click on a thumbnail image below:
The Kewa (Santo Domingo) necklaces originated with olive and clam shells and other organic material, often referred to as ‘heishi’. The iconic Kewa necklaces were and still are so-called ‘jackla’ necklaces – one or more strands of turquoise beads or nuggets interspaced with heishi and adorned with one or more sets of jacklas hanging from the bottom. A small number of Kewa artisans making Santo Domingo necklaces, have been using a variety of other shells, stones and silver to create a host of designs and ‘looks’ in a traditional-contemporary mix.
A unique form of neckwear is Zuñi fetish necklaces, made by only a few individuals and their families, yet renowned for their spiritual importance and elegance. Most of the early fetish carvings were worn as necklaces rather than carried or displayed. We offer a range of such Zuñi necklaces, including squash blossom necklaces, by the top carvers. Dating from the 30s and earlier, Kewa necklaces include the highly-collectible Depression era necklaces as well as tab and jackla neckwear (favored by Navajos and most other tribal groups) and more recently beads on heishi. We are the sole representative of Nestoria Coriz, master stone and shell necklace jewelry maker. Nestoria is an artisan of fashion design, based on Kewa tradition. She is the scion of a well-known family of artisans, warlords and religious men.