Zia Sun Necklace, Red Coral Turquoise New Mexico Handmade Jewelry Gift

The "Sacred Zia" handmade necklace features an artisan made Zia sun sterling silver pendant, red coral and turquoise tri-cut Czech glass.

The enchanting SACRED ZIA handmade necklace is filled with a soul satisfying sense of the mysteries of the Desert Southwest. The one of a kind necklace features a glowing, artisan made sterling Zia sun pendant. Red coral tubes and turquoise colored Czech glass beads complement the pendant perfectly. The handmade pendant was created from tarnish resistant sterling silver Zia sun pendant, a symbol that has long been sacred to the Zia Indians and is featured on the New Mexico state flag. The pendant was cast with a raised sun and recessed sun rays in the middle of the round pendant and then lightly oxidized to bring out the fine details of the symbol. The Zia pendant was then polished to a mirror like finish (which made it hard to photograph as it reflected my silhouette, the sky and clouds and other nearby things) on both the front and back. Please be assured, the pendant is shiny sterling silver. The back has the .925 stamp of sterling silver and the initials of the artist. A sterling silver closed ring securely connects the Zia sun pendant to the main body of the necklace.

Red coral tubes and turquoise tri-cut Czech glass add a definite Santa Fe / Southwest vibe to the beautiful necklace.

Red and turquoise are colors associated with Santa Fe and the Desert Southwest, so they were used to continue with the spirit of the Zia sun. Rustic red coral tubes make up the major part of the necklace. The rich red coral is termed “rustic” because the tubes are not exactly the same size, both in length and diameter. The larger tubes can be found in he front, with the smaller to the back. Between the first eight tubes are turquoise colored tri-cut Czech glass beads. Each turquoise bead has three facets in it (tri-cut) to add subtle sparkle. At the back of the necklace, the turquoise beads can be found between each coral grouping of three. Small sterling silver beads separate each piece of coral and each turquoise bead from its neighbor. A beautiful sterling silver toggle clasp with a “ray” design flawlessly finishes the necklace. Carefully designed and handmade by Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs, the SACRED ZIA handmade necklace is a perfect gift for the woman who adores meaningful jewelry designed in the Southwest.

The "Sacred Zia" necklace shown with a quarter for size comparison.

*** The Zia Indians regard the Sun as a sacred symbol. Their symbol, a red circle with groups of rays pointing in four directions, has been painted on ceremonial vases, drawn on the ground around campfires and used to introduce newborns to the Sun for centuries. Four is a sacred number, reflecting the basic harmony of all things in the universe. The Zia symbol represents the Circle of Life: the four directions, the four seasons, the four times of day and the four stages of life. The Zia also believe that man has four sacred obligations: to develop a strong body, a clear mind, a pure spirit and a devotion to the well being of the people. The Zia sun symbol is on the New Mexico state flag.

Here is the important information for the SACRED ZIA necklace:

• Tarnish resistant sterling silver Zia sun pendant: app. 15 mm x 1.5 mm; artisan made by Bev in Albuquerque, NM
• Red coral tubes: from app. 15 mm x 5 mm to 10 mm x 4 mm
• Turquoise tri-cut Czech glass beads: app. 4 mm x 3 mm
• Metal: sterling silver
• Clasp: sterling silver toggle clasp set
• Length: app. 19” / 48.3 cm
• Pendant drop: app. 0.75” / 1.9 cm including the sterling silver jump ring bail

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Mr. Moose Dog and I thank you for the shares of the Zia sun necklace - a symbol close to my heart (:

SHADOW DOG DESIGNS

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