Pueblo Five Strand Coral Necklace with Turquoise Jacla [SOLD]

This necklace was created with red coral, turquoise, and silver beads.  There are five strands of cylindrical and polished red coral which is interspersed with small handmade silver beads, and small turquoise heishi.  The five strands were tied off at the ends and wrapped in cotton, forming a pueblo wrap.  A pair of turquoise jacla are suspended from the necklace.

Due to its strong saturation of color, red coral is highly prized by the tribes of the Southwest.  Prior to the arrival of early Europeans to the Americas, native people used argillite to accent their jewelry with red— which was very dull compared to that of Blood Coral.  Because of the high cost of red coral, it has also become associated with wealth.

It is easy to feel the value of this deeply colored set of five red coral strings.  Arranged neatly in twisted strands of the same length, this necklace flows in a natural way. Strands of Blood Coral vary in a deep palette of reds, and are broken up with sets of turquoise beads and silver beads.  

The exquisite turquoise jacla hang from the necklace in traditional Navajo and Pueblo fashion. Jacla, which means ear strings, originally were made to be worn as earrings. Later, they became an addition to what is considered to be the most traditional form of Navajo and Pueblo necklace—strung turquoise or coral. These jacla are composed of the most beautiful blue and green turquoise, with copper matrix. The superb patination is evidence of much handling and wear by the owner.

The necklace is extraordinarily beautiful with the brilliant red coral and sky blue turquoise jacla.  The pueblo wrap provides for comfortable wearing.

Condition: very good condition

Provenance: this Pueblo Five Strand Coral Necklace with Turquoise Jacla is from a client from Colorado

Recommended Reading: Jewelry by Southwest American Indians: Evolving Designs by Nancy Schiffer

TAGS: Southwest Indian Jewelry, Necklace