Inv# LL1LT21.1901

Guarantee:  Single-strand Lapis & Kingman Turquoise circular bead necklace, 21” long, centered by 5 turquoise ‘corn’ dangles; Sterling Silver end beads & clasp; hand-made by Kewa artist, Lupé Lovato. 

SIZE: 21” end-to-end

Price:  $308 normal price, with FREE Priority Mail shipping -47 US States, & Insurance.

Description:  approx. 21” long, single-strand necklace of polished Lapis and Kingman Turquoise circular beads; the necklace centered with 5 Kingman turquoise ‘corn’ dangles & terminating at each end with a sterling silver bead & clasp.

Materials:  hand-selected, hand-cut, hand-polished, hand-drilled Lapis and Kingman Turquoise semi-precious gemstone circular beads & ‘corn’ dangles [approximately 125 Lapis beads, 19 turquoise beads, 5 turquoise ‘corn’ dangles].  Sterling silver end beads and clasp.  Beads & ‘corn’ dangles are strung on stainless steel braided wire.

Dimensions [approximate, with minor variations due to being hand-cut, hand-polished, & hand-drilled by the artist, & due to variations in natural gemstone material].  Measurements made using a micrometer.

• Necklace length: total end-to-end length approximately 21”

• Circular beads diameter:  approximately 0.3” diameter

• Circular beads thickness:  range from approx. 0.08” to 0.18” thick

• Turquoise ‘corn’ dangles size:  ‘corn’ dangle lengths approx. 0.6”; with ‘corns’ varying in thickness from 0.1>0.2” thick.

Weight:  83 grams

Comments.   We are delighted and privileged to offer this beautiful Lapis and Turquoise necklace by Kewa Pueblo jewelry artist LUPÉ LOVATO.   As with all skilled Native American artists, Lupé uses knowledge passed down from generations of his Kewa ancestors over hundreds or even thousands of years.  He adds to that his own ability to envision unique, beautiful necklace designs and execute his design with exceptional skill.  His jewelry is sought after because he is well known for producing beautiful hand-made earrings and necklaces.  Why this reputation?

• He personally hand-selects the gemstone stock [turquoise, jet, lapis] to obtain the highest quality & beauty of material.  Even when there is a backlog of demand for his signature necklaces & earrings, he refuses to make any jewelry if high-grade gemstone stock is not available to meet his standards.  For instance, despite high demands for his jet and turquoise necklaces this past Fall, he did not make any for months because his favorite high quality JET gemstone stock was not available—so he refused to use lower grade, soft Jet to fill the backlog of orders.  He still insists on using quality USA turquoise from the Kingman, AZ mine, rather than using imported turquoise.

• His necklaces are truly ‘hand-made’.  Lupé hand-cuts, hand-shapes, hand-polishes, & hand-drills individual pieces so that earrings pairs have beautifully matched gemstones, and so that necklace hand-formed and hand-polished gemstones of Kingman Turquoise, jet, or lapis create a beautiful, balanced necklace.

• The 5 center turquoise ‘corn’ dangles are each hand-selected from rough stock to match in color and appearance; then individually hand-cut, hand-shaped & graduated in size, hand-polished and hand-drilled to result in a stunning ‘dangle’ effect.

• Another mark of “Lupé quality” : the skillful special techniques he uses to ensure necklaces lay flat and form an attractive curved center when worn and so dangles hang freely.  [Most of us don’t think of this necklace factor until we buy an inexpensive one that binds up in the middle and won’t lie flat!]  It takes extra time and skill to do this well.  Lupé uses 2 techniques depending on the necklace design.  With larger necklace gemstones, he inserts a tiny, hand-cut, hand-polished disc at each side of the center 5 ‘corn’ dangles or discs.  A time-consuming alternative—used in this necklace—is to intricately design and shape each ‘corn’ dangle piece so they hang freely without binding.  Failure to use one of these techniques results in a necklace that binds at the center when worn, refuses to lay flat on the chest, & causes the dangles to bind—a sign of lesser quality, cheaper necklaces.

These characteristics distinguish Lupé’s jewelry art from less expensive Native American jewelry hand-assembled using machine-cut & pre-polished stones.  Take a moment and reflect on Lupé’s hand procedures—and the fact that this necklace contains about 149 individually selected, cut, shaped, polished gemstones.  Think about the artistic vision, skill, patience and time it takes. He indeed has given us an amazing art ‘gift’ that is an honor and joy to wear.  We feel privileged to be able to offer Lupé Lovato’s beautiful jewelry art.  

Thank you for taking the time to consider these details about Lupé’s jewelry art. By purchasing a Lupé Lovato original, you also are supporting the preservation of disappearing hand crafted methods passed down by generations of Native Americans.