Kewa Pueblo Three-strand Turquoise Hieshe Necklace [SOLD]

Kewa Pueblo artisans have been known for decades for the fine hieshe (shell) necklaces they produce. It is a style they have made for their own use for a thousand or more years, long before they started into silverwork. They have made these necklaces from shell and from turquoise. The process entails sawing the shell into strips and then cutting the strips into small squares. For turquoise hieshe, the stones are cut into smaller pieces like cubes. The small pieces are then drilled, strung on cotton string, and sanded into smooth rounded shapes. The end result is a string of rounded cylindrical shell or turquoise ready to add to other strings for a completed necklace.

In this necklace, three of the strings of pure turquoise hieshe have been banded together to form a single, striking necklace. Sterling silver cones are attached to each end of the necklace. In this necklace, a 5-inch long silver chain has been added for additional length.

The necklace was purchased in Gallup, NM in the 1950s period and is in original excellent condition.