Pipestone Heishi Necklace
This traditional pipestone heishi necklace is made from hand cut, drilled and polished heishi beads of Kingman Arizona turquoise, Minnesota pipestone, light green serpentine, black jet and white clam shell by Harvey & Janie Chavez, Kewa Pueblo tribe. The heishi necklace is finished with a sterling silver clasp and measures 44cm in length.
Beads:
Harvey Chavez expertly handcrafts beads in the traditional way of the Kewa Pueblo tribe in Northern New Mexico, USA. From tiny heishi or heishe beads to fine wafer cuts, every stone is individually hand cut, drilled and polished from natural materials such as turquoise, coral, pipestone, black jet, serpentine or shell. This once wide spread traditional skill is practised by fewer and fewer members of the tribe with each passing generation. Harvey and Janie Chavez are committed to practising the techniques learned from their parents, grandparents and great grandparents. They have passed these skills to their children and grandchildren in the hope that this knowledge will survive into future generations.
Harvey’s finished beads are strung into infinite combinations by his wife Janie. Janie makes necklaces, bracelets and earrings from the hand cut beads and hand formed feathers made by her husband.
The Chavez family have been making jewellery for Rainmaker Gallery for over thirty years. We are honoured to bring you the beautiful work of this talented family.
