Handcrafted Heishi Jewelry from Santo Domingo

Native Americans in the Southwest have been wearing beaded jewelry for centuries. The beaded tradition is most closely associated with Santo Domingo Pueblo, known for creating beautiful shell and gemstone beads by hand. These beads are called “heishi,” which means “shell” in the Santo Domingo language Keres. Necklaces with similar bead styles have been found in the ancestral Puebloan sites Chaco Canyon and Mesa Verde, and heishi may be the oldest form of jewelry in New Mexico. Traditionally, heishi beads are smooth flat discs, but today the term is used to refer to any small beads that are strung together.

  • Collection

  • Artist

  • Tribe

  • John Aquilar 5-Strand Pink Oyster Shell Necklace-Indian Pueblo Store
    • View Product
    $ 1,013.00
    $ 1,013.00
    Sold out
  • Charoite 5-Strand Chip Necklace-Indian Pueblo Store
    • View Product
    $ 890.00
    $ 890.00
    Sold out
  • John and Mary Aquilar Two Strand Nevada Turquoise Heishi Necklace-Indian Pueblo Store
    • View Product
    $ 1,395.00
    $ 1,395.00
    Sold out
  • Ray Garcia Single Strand Tyrone Turquoise Heishi Necklace-Indian Pueblo Store
    • View Product
    $ 250.00
    $ 250.00
    Sold out
  • Mary Coriz Lovato Lions Paw Shell Mosaic Inlay Graduated Heishi Necklace-Indian Pueblo Store
    • View Product
    $ 5,850.00
    $ 5,850.00
    Sold out
  • John and Mary Aguilar Santo Domingo Lion's Paw Drop Necklace - Shumakolowa Native Arts
    • View Product
    $ 405.00
    $ 405.00
    Sold out

Your connection to authentic Pueblo art and artists...

Learn More