About The Artist
This stunning hand-cut and polished turquoise was made by Santo Domingo artist Sophie Tenorio-Benally, who made jewelry all her life but didn’t start selling it until she retired from a 33-year career working in a pharmacy. From a Santa Fe New Mexican article about Tenorio-Benally: “As a kid, Sophie Tenorio Benally resented having to drill and cut turquoise after she finished her chores. Looking back, she said, ‘My dad was getting me ready for life’. The Santo Domingo Pueblo jeweler…said the work she once resented is a joy now. ‘I get up early just to work on it.…It makes me want to teach my grandkids’.”
More About The Artist
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.
