Turquoise heishi necklace, a traditional style of jewelry often handcrafted by artisans in the American Southwest, including Navajo and Santo Domingo Pueblo makers. "Heishi" (pronounced hee-shee) refers to small disc- or tube-shaped beads made of organic shells or stones, which are ground and polished into smooth, uniform shapes.
Key Features
- Bead Type: Heishi beads, which can be made from various types of turquoise, such as Kingman, Arizona Blue, or Sleeping Beauty varieties.
- Design: These necklaces often feature a graduated design where beads are larger in the center and taper toward the clasp.
- Findings: They typically include silver or gold-filled clasps, sometimes with decorative silver beads or barrel clasps.
- Variations: Some styles incorporate other materials like spiny oyster shell or coral for added color.