Native American Necklace Handmade w‎ Shell Turquoise Santo Domingo Pueblo ***

This is a super gorgeous one-of-a-kind handmade Santo Domingo Kewa necklace. Beautifully crafted with 10 natural Orange Spiny Oyster & turquoise beads. Princess length. Hook closure made with sterling silver. Elegant and beautiful Southwestern collectible quality jewelry. Outstanding workmanship. Handmade by Native artisan Lupe Lovato. Lupe's work has been featured in books and magazines highlighting Native American arts and culture. Total length: Necklace 20 inches (end to end) Total Weight: 77 grams This necklace was purchased directly from the Pueblo. Lupe is a member of the Santo Domingo Pueblo (Kewa) tribe, New Mexico. Santo Domingo Pueblo is named for St. Dominic, the village celebrates an annual feast day on August 4th of each year to honor him. On that day, residents of the Pueblo and other pueblos participate in traditional corn dances. Santo Domingo Pueblo is located in Sandoval County, New Mexico, about 25 miles (40 km) south of Santa Fe. Most of the residents of the Pueblo are Native Americans who speak a dialect of the Keresan Language. Much of the Santo Domingo jewelry made today is very similar to Anasazi jewelry found in digs at Chaco Canyon and Mesa Verde. Some of the jewelry found in these digs is more than a thousand years old. Santo Domingo Beads are very fine and of high-quality grade, some of the best heishi on the market. The word "Heishi" is from the Keresan word meaning "shell," and traditionally referred to shell beads.