Native American Fine Art and Jewelry

Santo Domingo (Kewa) Mother of Pearl Shell, Jet, and Turquoise Earrings by Joe Calabaza

$275

Artist: Joe Calabaza
Style: Mosaic Drop Earrings
Pueblo: Santo Domingo (Kewa), NM
Materials: Mother of Pearl, Jet, Turquoise, and Sterling Silver
Size: 1” W x 2.5” H
Item: #4175

Categories: , ,

In stock

Description

Traditional handmade Native American Indian Jewelry from Indigenous Pueblos of the Southwest. Guaranteed authentic. Excellent condition.

Elevate your everyday style with these exquisite handcrafted Santo Domingo (Kewa) mosaic inlay earrings by Joe Calabaza. These striking pieces showcase a beautiful, high-contrast arrangement of premium natural materials, featuring the iridescent, creamy white hues of Mother of Pearl shell expertly paired with deep, bold black jet and vibrant blue turquoise accents. Each individual stone and shell is meticulously hand-cut, flawlessly fitted together into a seamless geometric mosaic, and polished to a smooth, glass-like finish. The elegant inlay is carefully crafted to be both visually stunning and comfortably lightweight for effortless everyday wear.

The Santo Domingo Pueblo (officially recognized today as Kewa Pueblo) is world-renowned for its exceptional lapidary skills and traditional mosaic inlay techniques—a legacy that traces directly back to the ancient artisans of Chaco Canyon. Respected Kewa jewelers like Joe Calabaza continue this time-honored tradition by working with the very same natural materials their ancestors did. The prominent use of Mother of Pearl shell—a material historically acquired through vast, ancient Native American trade routes reaching the Pacific coast—honors this profound ancestral connection. By perfectly balancing these historic materials with clean, precise stonework, Calabaza creates timeless wearable art that beautifully celebrates the enduring spirit of Pueblo craftsmanship.

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.