Heishi inlay by Eva Calabaza of Santo Domingo Pueblo. Few names in the Southwest carry this weight.
Eva Calabaza is a renowned artisan rooted in the Tewa and Santo Domingo Native American jewelry traditions of Kewa Pueblo — a lineage in which hand-cut shell and heishi inlay have been the defining craft for centuries. These earrings showcase vibrant spiny oyster shell, meticulously hand-cut and set in sterling silver. The natural beauty of the shell — warm oranges deepening into rich reds — is preserved without enhancement. At 1 inch by 1 inch and just 6 grams, they are wearable daily but carry the specific gravity of authentic, named-artist jewelry from one of the most respected traditions in the American Southwest.
About this piece
The heishi and inlay traditions of Santo Domingo (Kewa) Pueblo are among the oldest continuous jewelry-making practices in North America. Hand-cut spiny oyster set in sterling silver is a hallmark of the tradition — the way it has been done at Kewa for generations. Eva Calabaza's work honors that tradition through exceptional craftsmanship and an eye for the most expressive material in each shell.
Materials & craftsmanship
Stone: Natural spiny oyster shell, hand-cut
Metal: Sterling silver (.925)
Technique: Traditional Tewa / Santo Domingo heishi inlay
Artisan: Eva Calabaza, Santo Domingo Pueblo (Kewa)
