ABOUT THE ARTIST-LONNIE WILLIE:
It would be fair to call Lonnie Willie the “Patriarch” of the Willie family. Lonnie was raised in Cañoncito (Band of Navajos), now known as To'hajiilee, about 30 miles west of Albuquerque on the Navajo Reservation, and he currently resides in Albuquerque. He comes from a large, close-knit family who have all made names for themselves in the jewelry industry, many becoming respected metalsmiths inspired by his example. (See my “Willie” listings)

Lonnie is the father of Tawney and Cooper Willie, and the brother of Ronnie, Juan, Rudy (who’s married to Happy Piasso) and Melissa Willie. His mother is Mary Ellen Pease, and to name just a few of his nieces and nephews, there are Dakota Willie and Shamenika. With all these family names mentioned, it was Lonnie who trained the whole family in what they know, so he is the one we credit when scouting for his family’s jewelry. He is also an accomplished Kachina carver, sculptor, and a dedicated painter in his spare time.

He is a traditional Navajo artist who keeps the Navajo tradition alive, staying firmly connected to Navajo roots that extend back decades. One thing you won’t find, is him turning overly contemporary—since he remains true to the forms and techniques passed down through his culture. Lonnie even makes his own stamping tools, and there’s very little you can’t place before him that he can’t skillfully create. He works as a dedicated silversmith five days a week, continually refining his art.

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THE LARIAT NECKLACE:

At first glance, some of you may think this is turquoise, since it bears a similar appearance and is also found in the same Arizona region where our blue turquoise mines are and where that vivid blue color is produced by the abundance of copper in the ground. Although Chrysocolla has a different chemical makeup than turquoise, it is highly prized for its striking blue to blue-green hues and is often discovered alongside malachite, azurite, and quartz in the same deposits. If you love the rich variety of gorgeous stones our earth provides, you will fall head over heels for the unique character and depth of Chrysocolla—my goodness, it’s like gazing at a living mosaic painting full of various blue colors!(Zoom in especially where its against the hand!)

Staying true to his historical Navajo roots, everything Lonnie creates will always carry that unmistakable Navajo aesthetic, and this necklace is no exception. Made with slightly varied oval-cut Chrysocolla stones arranged along the neckline, they’re beautifully laid out in a longer lariat-style design. Its overall length is just shy of 36 inches including the drop, is determined by the size of each individual stone. These are not your average skimpy, fragile, “can’t hardly see them” gems; each stone holds its own with substantial carat weight, so they’re chunky and very noticeable. In fact, some of the pieces would be considered on the large side, making a bold, confident statement.

Lonnie intentionally kept the design simple, allowing the full attention to remain on the range of blue stones and their intensely colored variations. Minimal sterling detailing was used—purposefully, avoiding excess metalwork that could compete with the vivid beauty of the Chrysocolla. In the neckline there are 8 stones in total, arranged in an alternating pattern: one panel features extremely tiny, handmade conchos that frame the stone, and this alternates with panels finished with a clean wire wrap and small, hand-formed sterling beads. Attached to the neckline is a 4.25” long pendant drop that has a movable two-stone element, showcasing a large trillion cut at the top with a teardrop cut dangling beneath. On each side there is a 5” handmade, fully usable extender chain so you can easily adjust the fit by hooking anywhere along the links. (See lengths on mannequin photos) All stones are set in contemporary, mirror-polished sterling, enhancing the color and giving the piece a refined, modern sheen.

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PLEASE NOTE WHAT PRICING IS BASED ON

Unfortunately, this was made AFTER sterling and gold prices had increased and gone out of control.. Sterling has literally gone off the charts, which is making it hard for some artists to even stay afloat. Factored into the price is the artist’s name and reputation after all these decade at doing jewelry, the number of carats and the cost per carat. Also included is the need to compensate Lonnie for his time and expertise that was required to create it! These are just some of the elements that together explain and contribute to the higher final price of this necklace.

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SPECIFICS:

ARTIST: Lonnie Willie made exclusively for Plata de Santa Fe Jewelry

TRIBAL AFFILIATION: Navajo

MATERIAL: High Grade Chrysocolla

AVERAGE STONE SIZE: See photos 8 & 9

INNER WEARABLE LENGTH: 31.5" (Without center drop-Measured laid out horizontally)

ADD CENTER DROP MEASUREMENT: 4.25" X 1.50" (At the widest part of the top trillion cut in the drop)

TOTAL LENGTH: 35.75" (Long enough to just slip over the head!)

USABLE EXTENDER ADJUSTABLE CHAIN: 5"(Per Side)

WEIGHT: 224.8 Grams~ 7.93 Ounces (Slightly under ½ pound)

STONE CUTS: Oval-Trillion- Tear Drop

AMOUNT OF CUTS: 10

METAL: Sterling Silver

METAL FINISH: Contemporary Mirror Polished Finish

CLOSURE STYLE: Hook & Eye

HALLMARK: Lonnie Willie/Sterling

Comes Gift Boxed

In the last photo is another of Lonnie’s Lariat necklaces that’s made with deep intense colored green “Emerald Valley” turquoise!

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SIGNATURE REQUIREMENT:

Anything with a high price tag, will have a mandatory signature confirmation requirement & will come insured (reflected in shipping price).. If you're not home in the day & need it shipped where it 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 READ:

*****I do not consider myself a 'professional photographer" but I do try to give you photos that are 'realistic" in color.. I feel that the photos where it’s against the hand are the most accurate. Remember, every monitor is different since some can show something to be more vivid and other monitors can make it look duller.