Necklaces

Early Southwest Native American necklaces consisted of hand-rolled beads strung together and tied around the neck. Turquoise and shell were the most common materials used in necklaces. A traditional style of these beads is called heishi, from the Kewa (Santo Domingo) word for "shell." These heishi beads are rolled against a stone wheel, and the sides of the beads lie flat against each other. The introduction of silversmithing and silver bead making led to the creation of the Squash Blossom Necklace, the most iconic of Navajo (Diné) necklaces. "Navajo Pearls" are another popular type of necklace, which feature handmade all-silver beads. 

Learn More: About Turquoise   About Heishi   The Squash Blossom Necklace