Southwest Sterling Silver Multistone Inlay Pendant Spiny Oyster Turquoise Jet Teardrop 9.4g Signed Larry Loretto LL Zuni Style

Description

This striking sterling silver pendant exemplifies the masterful artistry of the American Southwest, attributed to the highly regarded Zuni/Jemez Pueblo artist Larry Loretto. The piece features Loretto’s signature "bold modern" aesthetic—a heavy-gauge silver framework housing a sophisticated geometric inlay. Vibrant segments of orange spiny oyster shell, sky-blue turquoise, and deep black jet (or onyx) are fitted together with seamless precision in a channel inlay technique. The stones are arranged in a radiating fan or sunburst pattern within a classic teardrop silhouette, framed by deeply stamped, scalloped silver edges that add substantial visual weight and texture.

Larry Loretto is celebrated in the world of Native American jewelry for bridging traditional lapidary skills with contemporary, minimalist design. Unlike the delicate needlepoint of traditional Zuni work, Loretto’s pieces are known for their solidity and clean lines, often utilizing thick sterling silver casting and bold blocks of color. His work is highly collectible and represents a modern evolution of Pueblo stone-to-stone artistry, making this pendant not just a decorative accessory, but a wearable piece of art history.

Weighing a substantial 9.4 grams, the pendant feels solid and well-constructed. It measures 1 13/16 inches in total length including the wide, sturdy bale, and has a maximum width of 1 inch. The reverse is stamped with the hallmarks "PL Sterling LL." The "LL" is the recognized mark for Larry Loretto, while "PL" is widely considered a shop or distributor mark associated with his work from this period. The large bale allows for versatility, easily accommodating a variety of chains, leather cords, or silver Navajo pearls.