Kewa Pueblo Mosaic Inlay Earrings

Kewa Pueblo jeweler, Rudy Coriz, chose stones that celebrate autumn for these earrings.  Green and turquoise, serpentine, apple coral, jasper, jet, and clam shell are the colors of the forests and inlaid on to jet.  They dangle from sterling silver wires.  More about Kewa Pueblo mosaic inlay below.

Size: 1.75" H (includes wires) x .75" W

Inlay Jewelers from Kewa Pueblo have been creating mosaic inlay jewelry for over a thousand years.  Some of the ancient Kewa jewelry can seem quite modern in their designs.  The stones, and/or shell, are cut into shapes which are then put together like a puzzle on a backing.  The backing can be shell, jet, or other materials like records or sheets of plastic which was done during times when materials were hard to come by.  Prior to colonization and the use of metals in Native American jewelry making, the earrings were hung on handmade string.

Many of the Pueblos in New Mexico took on Spanish names after colonization and are now taking back their original names.  Kewa Pueblo is the traditional name of the place and the people.  It was known as Santo Domingo Pueblo for many, many years.