Description
Traditional handmade Native American Indian Jewelry from Indigenous Pueblos of the Southwest. Guaranteed authentic. Excellent condition.
Experience a bold pop of Southwestern color with these handcrafted mosaic inlay earrings by Kewa artisan Joe Calabaza. These striking circular drops feature a radiant mosaic of natural spiny oyster shell, showcasing a range of fiery orange and deep red hues. The shell is meticulously paired with sleek black jet and vibrant turquoise accents, all hand-cut and polished to a seamless, glass-like finish. Suspended from high-quality sterling silver French hooks, these earrings offer a modern, geometric silhouette that remains lightweight and comfortable for all-day wear.
The Santo Domingo Pueblo (Kewa) has a legendary history of lapidary work, with techniques passed down through generations for over a thousand years. Joe Calabaza continues this prestigious legacy by masterfully combining traditional materials—like the spiny oyster shell historically prized by Pueblo traders—with a clean, contemporary aesthetic. Each stone is shaped by hand to fit precisely against the next, creating a durable and vivid mosaic. By owning a piece from a renowned maker like Calabaza, you are participating in the living history of the Rio Grande Pueblos and supporting the continued mastery of Indigenous stone-cutting.
About The Artist
Joe R. Calabaza and his wife, Valerie F. Calabaza, are esteemed Native American jewelry artists from Kewa Pueblo (Santo Domingo Pueblo) in New Mexico. Joe was born and raised in Kewa Pueblo by his parents, Joseph F. and Mary Ann Calabaza, who taught him the foundational crafts of traditional Pueblo jewelry making.
The Calabaza family is widely renowned for their exquisite, super-fine heishe work, a meticulous and historic bead-making technique. Hand-cutting and shaping organic materials, Joe creates breathtaking heishe jewelry using natural stones such as turquoise, serpentine, black jet, and pipestone. Beyond his signature beadwork, Joe is also a master of intricate inlay mosaic and traditional silver and metalwork, allowing him to create a diverse range of authentic Southwestern jewelry.
More About this Artist
About the Pueblo
The Santo Domingo Pueblo, also known as Kewa, is a Native American community located in northern New Mexico, near the Rio Grande River. Known for its rich cultural heritage, the pueblo has a history that spans over 1,000 years. The Santo Domingo people are famous for their intricate pottery, vibrant textiles, and unique turquoise and silver jewelry. Their artisans are particularly renowned for creating striking mosaic-style jewelry using tiny pieces of turquoise, coral, and shell. The Santo Domingo Pueblo maintains strong traditions and a deep connection to their ancestral lands, with a focus on community, spirituality, and preserving their culture.
