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Navajo Traditional Teachings

Colorful Shell Turquoise Choker

Colorful Shell Turquoise Choker

Regular price $149.99 USD
Regular price Sale price $149.99 USD
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Colorful, vibrant, and deeply rooted in Navajo tradition, this handcrafted choker by Darlene Huskie brings together the natural beauty of genuine turquoise with an eye-catching blend of dyed shell and baby olive shell. Brightly colored shell beads add cheerful accents throughout the design, while natural turquoise creates a striking contrast with its unique matrix patterns and blue-green hues. The result is a necklace that feels lively, balanced, and completely one of a kind.

The combination of vivid shell colors, earthy turquoise, and warm baby olive shell creates a distinctive Southwestern look that is both playful and versatile. Lightweight enough for everyday wear yet bold enough to stand on its own, this choker layers beautifully with other Navajo jewelry or serves as a colorful statement piece all by itself. The sterling silver clasp provides a durable, elegant finish while allowing the natural materials to remain the centerpiece.

For the Navajo people, turquoise has long been regarded as one of the most meaningful stones, representing protection, blessings, harmony, and a lasting connection to the earth. It is considered a gift from the Holy People and has been treasured for generations in both ceremonial and everyday jewelry. The shell elements add texture, color, and balance while complementing the timeless beauty of the turquoise.

Each necklace is individually crafted by Navajo artist Darlene Huskie, who has spent nearly 30 years creating traditional jewelry after learning the craft through her husband's family. Every bead is thoughtfully placed to highlight the natural beauty of the materials while honoring generations of Navajo craftsmanship and artistry.

Because authenticity matters, every turquoise piece from Navajo Traditional Teachings includes a Certificate of Authenticity. In a marketplace filled with imported imitations and misleading claims, you can wear your jewelry with confidence, knowing exactly who created it and where it came from.

Because authenticity matters, every turquoise piece from Navajo Traditional Teachings includes a Certificate of Authenticity. In a marketplace filled with imported imitations and misleading claims, you can wear your jewelry with confidence, knowing exactly who created it and where it came from.

A Darlene Huskie Original

Materials: Dyed Shell, Baby Olive Shell, Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Length: 18"

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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
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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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