Featured Santo Domingo Pueblo Green Turquoise

I love this fiercely! It’s a treasured gift, and (like many things that please me) somewhat unusual. I certainly wouldn’t have said “Native American Turquoise jewelry” at first glance. I would probably have been too busy noticing how badly the silver findings need polishing and (perhaps) thought “oh, some of those look like Heishi beads”.

Unfortunately I don’t know the name of the maker, but I thought my little darling might be of interest, and perhaps of use in some future identification puzzle.

 

unusual..... but the sterling cones and figure 8 clasp..... look legit.

 

The cones look commercially made in the photo.

 

The Indian Store in Los Gatos was a highly respected retailer. One can read about it here (although an email address is required.)

https://www.mercurynews.com/2013/03/11/the-indian-store-is-closing-after-40-years/

Debora

 

^^ What she said. One of the best things about them was that you could sometimes meet the artists in-store, or the sales people would give you printouts with information about the maker when they had it (sometimes multiple pages). I still have some of those pages somewhere, I was actually looking for them to post here when I unearthed this necklace.

 

It's a pretty thing. I'd think it was 1970s. Am I correct?

Debora

 

I love it! I would totally wear that. The color is fabulous, and the overall shape and design of the beads is unique!

 

I got it much later, around 2008. But it has that bit of edgy vibe, doesn’t it? I think it’s probably from within a few years of that time. They did sometimes sell vintage/antique stuff, but only very rarely, and then usually only if it was from a known artist, and it was always clearly indicated. The gentleman in question would absolutely have told me if it had been vintage, he knew I collected vintage jewelry.

 

I'd have figured mid 80s, but whatever. The color looks odd, but the findings are right.

 

It's very pretty. I'm glad it gives you pleasure.

Debora

 

This isn't normally my color but I did scroll and go ooh i really like the three bead spacing areas. I would have picked that up if I'd seen it. It's a great design.

 

It would definitely have been new at the time, made in a style that was modern for Santo Domingo.
Santo Domingo Puebloans are specialised in beautiful stone beading.

 

Oh, it’s odd for sure! And not just the color. That’s why I decided to post about it even though it’s far from antique. We’ve got some serious experts here, but guessing it’s correct age, materials, and origin from some badly lit pictures would be a real challenge.

Hopefully it will help some future identification. I’ve gotten a LOT of help here, and am hoping to pay it forward.