PROVENANCE:

Coming from a well known resident here in Santa Fe who is an avid Native American arts collector who was downsizing. I was told that it was made in the 60's,but was apart of their collection since the 80's.

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ABOUT THE JACLA:

The traditional Jacla is probably the oldest form of jewelry that was closely associated with the Puebloan people,but then they traded with other tribes throughout the southwest & later became associated with the Navajo as well. Long before silver was introduced to them, the pueblos were making necklaces of turquoise,shell, coral and other natural materials.Usually hung off of turquoise beaded necklaces, this is the style they were wearing when the Spaniards arrived into New Mexico in the 16th century & you will still see Jaclas being hung off the necklaces today during their religious and social dances.

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DESCRIPTION:

This is made with 2 strands of precious Blue Gem turquoise that graduate from big to small,in size. The color is very "Blue Gem", which personally has one of the prettiest colors out of our USA mines. Bits of caramel colored matrix can be seen throughout.. One thing I always look for that validates how skilled the artist is in cutting,is if you run your hand down the strand & how smooth it is.. Feeling no ' ridges', it has a smoothness that contributes to it being well made by an obvious master cutter. The center white shell cuts are what is called "Corn" to the Puebloan people & you will see the 'work marks" within each one,validating that they are hand cut & shaped.

The wonderful thing about this is that it has versatility with the ways you can wear it! You can keep it traditional by tying the Jacla string onto your favorite turquoise necklace (Coral or any shell necklace will do as well!) All I had was a strand of Navajo pearls & unfortunately didn't have a beaded necklace on hand when I took the photo,but you can get an idea by looking at photo 2.. Also if you're somewhat skilled with jewelry making,another way you can wear this is if you get some sterling cones & put them over the string at the ends & finish it off with a hook/eye closure & wear it as a choker, which also looks great! If you want to wear it as a choker without going through what I mentioned,you would just tie the ends.