Zuni Channel Inlay Teardrop Necklace [SOLD]

This necklace, made by Willis and Susie Leekity, features six channel inlay drops arranged in a lovely V shape with one piece dangling from the rest. Each of the six exquisitely executed tear drops has three precisely cut pieces of Sleeping Beauty turquoise set between narrow bands of silver. These are set in a handmade bezel that is framed with a line of twisted wire. Sterling silver balls are interspersed between each drop. The ensemble hangs from a link chain. The necklace has an engraved hallmark of WS, Zuni, 5/88 - the hallmark of Susie and Willis Leekity. The distinctive teardrop shape channel inlay made by this husband and wife team is featured in Theda and Michael Bassman’s book Zuni Jewelry (see Recommended Reading link below).

This necklace would seem to be a “one of a kind” piece, but within the collection this necklace came from is a nearly identical one with only minute differences. The direction in which the drops are set is different in each necklace, the turquoise within each necklace has a slightly different shade and the link chains on each are different. Both have the same hallmark, but only this one has a date.

When I saw these two almost identical necklaces, I immediately thought this would be the perfect gift for twins or two daughters or granddaughters, or two friends, something that two people could share for a lifetime.

Condition:  The Zuni Channel Inlay Teardrop Necklace is in excellent condition

Provenance: From a family collection in Colorado

Recommended Reading:

Zuni, A Village of Silversmiths by James Ostler

Zuni Jewelry by Theda Bassman