Turquoise Heishi and Jacla Necklace
This lovely Pueblo Native American necklace features a mix of Natural blue Nevada turquoise tabs separated by fine brown shell heishi beads. Hanging on the necklace is a pair of natural turquoise jaclas. These jaclas have white shell tabular pieces in the bottom center that are called “corn”.
A traditional Pueblo jewelry adornment, a jacla is two loops of heishi that were originally earrings and sometimes fastened to the bottom of a necklace as a pendant-like attachment. Jacla is Navajo for “ear string”. Although jaclas are attributed to the Rio Grande Pueblo Indians, they were traded with other tribes so have become associated with the Navajo as well. They are seen in vintage photos being worn by members of all southwest tribes, both men and women.
These polished turquoise tabs or flat nuggets are sized from 14mm to 35mm and are a greenish blue color with some color variation and matrix. The beads are strung on a natural fiber cord with no clasp, which allows the length of the necklace to be adjusted from 30-32 inches. The Jaclas add an extra 5 inches. It's almost impossible to get this quality of turquoise and coral today. Absolutely enchanting!
Add this necklace to your Native American Jewelry Collection.
- Circa 1920's
- Length: 32 inches + 5 inch Jaclas
- Weight: 168.4 grams
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