Southwest Elements

Southwest Elements - four strand necklace:

Strand 1 - Mother of Pearl (MOP) nuggets; approx 26.75” L

Strand 2 - graduated tiger eye nuggets; approx 28.5” L

Strand 3 - graduated turquoise nuggets*; approx 29.75” L

Strand 4 - spiny oyster Zia pendant** with MOP teardrop strung with graduated spiny oyster nuggets; approx 33.5” L

Findings - large hammered HTS*** links attached to a sterling chain (a clasp can be added)

*I do not know the source of this turquoise, I found it at a second hand store, BUT it is turquoise.

** there is a makers mark I can’t identify on the back of this pendant. I found it at my favorite antique store. It is also marked 950, a higher silver content then 925.

***Hill Tribe Silver is fine silver from Thailand.

There is so much to say about this piece...I wanted to capture the elements, but with a twist. I also wanted a Southwest feel. The result is the spiny oyster representing fire, the turquoise representing water, the tiger eye representing earth, and the MOP representing air. The stylized Zia represents soooo many things, but in this case the elements.

I fell in love with New Mexico the first time I visited, there is a magic there like no other...and this piece is my “painting” honoring it.