Now in his mid-thirties, Chris Nieto is one of the finest beadmakers at Santo Domingo Pueblo and has no peer in the realm of mosaic inlay work. His work can be found at the Wheelwright Museum in Santa Fe, he exhibits at the widely renowned art shows at the Heard Museum in Phoenix and is a well-respected citizen of Santo Domingo Pueblo where he is very active in religious and ceremonial affairs. He is a kind and generous man who has become a close friend through our years of working together. His wife, Luwanna, often aids him by stringing his necklaces.

These are handmade graduated disk beads of stabilized Kingman turquoise. In the center of the necklace, fine heishi beads are interspersed between the larger disk beads to make the strand "round out" perfectly and move fluidly with the body. Rich with matrix, this single strand epitomizes the beadmaking tradition of Santo Domingo Pueblo. Finished with Sterling cones.

Kingman heishi: 1/8" to 3/8" diameter; 3/32" running length

Length: 20"