Seven Strand Light Penn Shell Heishi Bead Squaw Wrap Necklace.

This Seven Strand Light Penn Shell Heishi Bead Squaw Wrap Necklace is full of natural beauty. Hand made Heishi Bead Jewelry like this is popular with the Santo Domingo Indian tribe. This Necklace features seven strands of hand strung Light Penn Shell Heishi Beads. This is some of the most sought after Heishi in the world. These Light Penn Shell beads were hand ground, hand cut, and hand drilled. This necklace has the traditional squaw wrap backing. Non Indian made. This Heishi Necklace is 28" long.

HEISHI

The literal meaning of Heishi is "shell" and specifically refers to pieces of shell which have been drilled and ground into beads and then strung into necklaces. More and more frequently, however, heishi (hee-shee) has come to refer to hand-made tiny beads made of any natural material. The origin of heishi is fascinating indeed, and is inescapably linked to the ancient history of the people most proficient in its making, the Santa Domingo Pueblo Indians. It is safe to say that this is the oldest form of jewelry in New Mexico (and perhaps in North American), pre-dating the introduction of metals. Centuries ago, the shells used by the Pueblo Indian to make beads were obtained in trade from the Gulf of California. It will take from 2 days to a week to prepare a single strand of heishi. A string of good heishi will have a uniform consistency. If you gently pull it through your hand, it should feel like a single serpent-like piece. (Note: Precisely because of the handwork involved, a fine string of heishi may contain a lightly flawed or chipped individual bead.) This information is from the Indian Arts & Crafts Association and the Wingspread Communications publishers of the Collector's Guides to Albuquerque, Santa Fe andTaos.