One of a Kind piece

Santo Domingo necklace

Thunderbird necklace made of mosaic inlay of Cerillos turquoise (New Mexico), apple coral, mother-of-pearl, black-jet and three rows of melo shell Heishi beads.

As an emblematic piece of Pueblo jewelry, this Thunderbird necklace has a very special and interesting history: 

Pueblo jewelers are representatives of early days Native jewelry. Indeed, Pueblo artists have been making jewelry from natural materials (stones, shells, wood...) for many moons, but during the economic crisis of 1929, they had to adapt to the situation in order to continue their jewels production. They created jewelry using their ancestral mosaic technique, but with unconventional materials (plastic from car batteries or vinyl records, buttons, kitchen utensils... upcycling you think? You are right!) These new techniques born in times of crisis even have a name : Santo Domingo Depression Jewelry. 

This period of the Great Depression saw the birth of colorful and emblematic jewelry that is now part of the great history of Native jewelry.
 

Today, this famous Thunderbird necklace is still made in Santo Domingo, but with noble materials. Each artist creates it in his or her own distinctive style. Here, for example, the Thunderbird is imposing and has very pure lines, creating a beautiful balance with the three strands of Heishi beads and the mosaic pieces on each side.

As for the Thunderbird itself, it is an emblematic Native symbol of the Wild West. It is a mystical bird that creates thunder by flapping its wings and throw lightning bolts by blinking its eyes.

Want to wear a strong, iconic piece, steeped in history and symbolism? This necklace is for you!

Size of the Thunderbird (from eye to tail, L x l) : 10cm x 10cm

Length of the beads rows : 66cm (26 inches) + sterling silver clasp

Size of the earrings (L x l) : 7cm x 3,5cm
(hooks in sterling silver)

Pueblo creation, proudly handmade in the USA.