SALE FOR ONE PAIR- COME IN CLIP ON AND POST!

THE RAINBOW MAN FIGURE:

For those of you who might be beginners to southwestern jewelry, the "Rainbow Man" is one of the most widely recognized and revered figures throughout the American Southwest, particularly among the Zuni Pueblo people. He is considered the sacred guardian spirit of the Zuni Pueblo, symbolizing protection and guidance. This figure is often depicted on the traditional Zuni war shields and serves as a powerful emblem of the rainbow, which represents the life-sustaining rains essential for the success of agriculture in the arid regions of the Southwest. The rainbow’s importance is especially significant for the sacred corn plant, which holds a central place in Zuni culture and sustenance.

The Rainbow Man was one of the earliest and most iconic figures used in traditional Zuni mosaic inlay jewelry. Starting from the 1920s through the 1940s, various talented Zuni Native artists began creating mosaic inlay jewelry featuring the Rainbow Man, and by the 1950s, this imagery had become widely popular and recognized. His presence is deeply woven into Zuni traditions, cultural identity, and social practices, making the Rainbow Man not only a visually striking element but also a profound symbol associated with the “rainbow” shape that conveys life, protection, and spiritual significance.

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THE EARRINGS:

Federico has always been truly blessed to work with some of the most incredible lapidarians—talented artisans whom anyone would consider fortunate to have close at hand. When you carefully observe this intricate and time-consuming mosaic inlay technique, it becomes abundantly clear that these artists know exactly what they are doing. Their skill and mastery shine through in these earrings, especially in this type of meticulous work where the 'attention to detail' must be at its absolute highest level. If you’ve ever tried your hand at this kind of workmanship, you would immediately recognize just how exceptional the workmanship in these earrings really is!

These stunning earrings are created by combining two distinct and demanding art forms: the mosaic inlay work itself and the art of lapidary, or stone cutting. Both disciplines require an immense amount of time, patience, and precision, and I have great respect for anyone who can carry out these tasks properly and with such precision! Every single tiny piece of shell and stone is carefully hand-cut and meticulously shaped, demonstrating not only technical know-how and patience, but also impressive skill—especially when working with these minuscule cuts. (It’s important to note that the smaller the cuts, the more time is required, and there is absolutely no room for error!)

These earrings feature a mosaic flush inlay crafted from pieces of natural Sleeping Beauty turquoise, orange spiny oyster shell, luminous white Mother of Pearl, and deep black onyx. Each section of the figure is individually set into its own bezel, but if you look closely at the photos, you’ll notice that the face, upper body, and skirt employ a unique 'embedded' flush inlay technique. This means they are created as one seamless piece with all the tiny cuts perfectly integrated into the section that then sits within its bezel. Meanwhile, the arms, ceremonial Tablita headdress, legs, and feet showcase a different approach known as "channel" mosaic inlay, highlighting the versatility and extraordinary craftsmanship involved in these incredible earrings.

**You are not paying for the weight,nor the amount of materials,but rather the time it took for these to be made **

ON BOTH:

ARTIST: Federico Jimenez

MATERIAL: Natural High Grade Sleeping Beauty Turquoise-Orange Spiny Oyster Shell-Shimmery Mother of Pearl-Black Onyx

MEASUREMENTS: 2.25” X 1-5/8” (Width is taken at the top portion of the earring)

METAL: Sterling Silver

METAL FINISH: Contemporary

TECHNIQUE: Excellent Lapidarian Work-Mosaic Inlay

HALLMARK: Sterling JF

Comes Gift Boxed

CLIP ON:

COMBINED WEIGHT: 38.6 Grams (1.37 Ounces)

POSTS:

COMBINED WEIGHT: 36.5 Grams (1.28 Ounces) (Please know what weight your ears are comfortable with, before purchasing, since I do not do returns for this reason (Read my ‘Return Policy-3rd paragraph down”) So what I suggest, is taking a pair you own that are comfortable & weighing them & then compare that weight to my weights.

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SIGNATURE REQUIREMENT:
Because of their price, these will have a mandatory signature confirmation requirement. (Reflected in shipping price) If you're not home in the day & need them shipped where they can be signed for,please change that in your "Ship To" section before I create the shipping label***I'm sorry if this may be an inconvenience, but I do not ship expensive pieces without one. This is for your safety & mine.

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PLEASE NOTE:
In order to give you close up photos so I can provide you with all the detail, photos can tend to make the item look much more larger & everything is more magnified than in actuality. So to get an accurate idea of how big these are,please either check them out being worn to get a rough idea (photos) or you can pull out a tape measure & compare to my given measurements

I do not consider myself a 'professional photographer" but I do try to give you photos that are 'realistic" in color, so you're not shocked, nor disappointed when you get the piece. Monitor screens vary in color,so please take this into consideration.