Pawn Jewelry- 5- strand-Santa Domingo turquoise necklace

Beautiful Santa Domingo necklace.Santo Domingo is one of the Rio Grande Pueblos in Northern New Mexico. The traditional design of the necklace features approximately 500 turquoise rough rectanglular turquoise stones seperated by fin cut pin shells called  "heishe". The 5 strand necklace is finished off at the ends with the heishe tied off with a tight string wrap.The neckalce is long enough to easily slip over the head. Due to the amount of turquosie and heshie the necklace has a heavy feel. This is a wonderful example of a Santa Domingo necklace. 

It comes attached to its original red pawn ticket.The term "pawn" refers to jewelry that has been pawned to brokers. The practice of pawning jewelry began in the early 1900s when Native Americans and traders would exchange jewelry for food and other necessities, it is still used today and is embedded in the Navajo culture. 

Material: Sterling silver, turquoise, pin shell

Tribe affiliation: Santa Domingo

Time period: current 

Necklace measurements: approximately  34"

stone measurement: appox 1/4" x 1/16"