Orange Spiny Oyster shell necklace by artist: Daniel Coriz

Santa Domingo artist Daniel Coriz is known for his ability to string the most vibrant colors and unique designs into his necklaces. This is a great example of this. Measuring 32" with a 3" chain extension, making this a very versatile length necklace. Daniel Coriz Multi-Color necklace 32-35″-

The Village: Spanish conquistadors named the pueblo as Santo Domingo. Its earliest recorded name was Gipuy. According to Pueblo Council members, the local name in their Keres language has always been Kewa. In 2009, the pueblo officially changed its name to Kewa Pueblo, altering its seal, signs and letterhead.According to the Pueblo of Acoma’s Keres Online Dictionary, the Western Keresan-name for the Pueblo was Díiwʾi and for its people therefore Dîiwʾamʾé.It is located 25 southwest of Santa Fe, N.M. 

Kingman Turquoise originates in the Mineral Park Mining District near Kingman, Arizona. One of the largest domestic turquoise mines, it is found in a large open pit copper mine in the high desert country. The Kingman Mine district was first mined by Native Americans; it was part of the most extensive prehistoric workings in Arizona. 

Spiny Oyster Shell Living Spondylus shells are, indeed, very spiny, but the polished product looks very smooth, with some of its color variation strongly resembling that of the Blood Oyster. The resemblance is strong enough that it’s important to ask, when purchasing these materials, if they’re from Blood Oyster or Spiny Oyster. Artists often use Spiny Oyster as a substitute for Blood Coral. Although not nearly as rare as the Blood Coral or Rose Coral, divers collect Spiny Oyster by hand, making the work laborious and relatively expensive, with some risks.N18 The most commonly used Spondylid Bivalve shell colors include orange, reds, and purples and may include distinct striations and color variations. One also finds pink, red, brown, yellow, orange, and white on the market. The Yellow Spiny Oyster’s especially rare. In the American Oceans, the Spondylids occur along the North American coasts, as far north as North Carolina, on the Atlantic Coast, and northwestern Mexico, on the Pacific Coast. It develops in waters to South America. The Orange Spiny Oyster occurs in shallow to moderately deep waters, where snorkelers and scuba divers readily harvest them. Purple Spiny Oysters grow in deeper water, making them more difficult to find and harvest.