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Navajo Traditional Teachings

Turquoise Strawberry Fortress

Turquoise Strawberry Fortress

Regular price $279.99 USD
Regular price Sale price $279.99 USD
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Feel the weight of tradition with this "Turquoise Strawberry Fortress" necklace, a bold and heavy-duty piece that commands attention with its chunky, substantial design.

The large green Turquoise nuggets anchor the necklace, their deep, earthy tones streaked with golden-brown matrix, evoking the rugged strength of ancient cliffs under a vast sky, each one carrying the sacred essence of the Blue World—a spiritual touchstone for the Diné.

Interspersed among the Turquoise, a mixture of large and small strawberry lip shell discs adds a soft, coral-pink warmth, their glossy surfaces shimmering like the blush of a desert flower at dawn, creating a striking contrast that feels both powerful and tender.

The varying sizes of the shell discs add a dynamic rhythm, enhancing the necklace’s commanding presence.

A sturdy silver clasp secures this robust piece with a touch of elegance, its subtle shine ensuring the natural materials remain the focal point.

Crafted by Darlene Huskie of the Nakai Diné Clan, this is authentic Navajo jewelry, a testament to strength and artistry in every bead.

Perfect for those who seek a statement piece that embodies resilience and heritage, this necklace adds a bold, grounding energy to any look, whether worn for a significant cultural event or as a daily reminder of inner fortitude.

A Darlene Huskie Original

22.5 inches

Materials: Strawberry Lip, Turquoise, & a Silver Clasp

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Meet The Artist

Meet Darlene... Navajo Jewelry Artist

Darlene Huskie is a Navajo jewelry artist with nearly three decades of experience creating hand-strung turquoise necklaces and traditional Diné adornment. Taught within her husband’s family, she carries forward a lineage of beadwork that blends patience, precision, and cultural memory.

Working with turquoise, sterling silver, shell, and glass beads, Darlene carefully selects and arranges each element by hand, allowing color, balance, and natural beauty to guide every design. Her pieces are not mass-produced — each necklace is individually made, reflecting the quiet skill and steady hands of an artist who has spent a lifetime perfecting her craft.

Darlene is of the Nakai Diné Clan, and her work reflects the enduring Navajo tradition of jewelry as both personal adornment and cultural expression.

Authentic Turquoise

With only 5 active turquoise mines left in the U.S.—led by the iconic Kingman Mine—much of today’s turquoise comes from past sources. Check the map… your piece may be rarer than you think.

Turquoise Map
Turquoise Image - HOW WE TEST TURQUOISE (1).png__PID:e168d8da-60b9-4339-b338-c7c4fb7f5336

How We Test Turquoise

Testing is a skill. Some pieces of turquoise you can tell right when you pick them up. Others require a more scientific approach. Click here to See The 4 Ways To Test Turquoise:

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