A LITTLE ABOUT MONICA SMITH:

Generationally taught Navajo Pearl artist Monica Smith lives in Gallup, New Mexico. She began learning the art of making handmade Navajo Pearls at just 15 years old from her mother, Kathleen Scott, who patiently taught Monica each step using techniques and knowledge passed down through the family. Her mother was her teacher, mentor, and steady guide—passing down every essential technique, the patient rhythms of the art and a profound respect for her Navajo heritage and traditions. After both of Monica’s parents passed away in 2015, Monica did not dwell on her loss; instead she threw herself fully into the work, taking the skills her mother had shared and carrying the tradition forward on her own with dedication and passion.

She continues to cherish their legacy by remembering everything that was lovingly taught to her, and now plans to teach her seven children how to make authentic Navajo Pearls the right way. Her business has been thriving for some time now, and through repetition, she presently sits up there with all the other Navajo Pearl masters. Her beads are not only sought out throughout the country, but has a customer base that extends around the world.

ABOUT AUTHENTIC NAVAJO PEARLS:

Authentic Navajo Pearls are made entirely by the skilled hands of Navajo silversmiths and are true expressions of Navajo artistry — not the mass-produced items some sellers label as "Navajo Pearls." Those look-alike beads are typically manufactured overseas, are not handmade by Native American artisans, and are nothing more than a non‑Native sterling bead rather than genuine Navajo work.

Making each and every bead is an extremely labor‑intensive process. Depending on the size bead that the artist envisions, the sterling is first cut into circles, carefully domed, and the two half‑domes are soldered together to form a complete bead. Each bead is then individually drilled, the seam where the halves meet is filed smooth, and the piece is hand‑finished, with deliberate oxidation left around the hole because that is where patina naturally develops—this subtle darkening helps emulate the look of a vintage bead. After the sterling receives its final finishing, the beads are strung together one by one.

There is nothing used by commercial manufacturers to make the job go any quicker, and you won’t find anything, whether it’s a necklace, bracelet, or pair of earrings that’s done in a commercial manner. If the origin matters to you, be sure to ask the seller whether the beads are "Commercial" or "Authentic Navajo Made."

THE NECKLACE:

This piece is designed with a carefully graduated bead size, beginning with a largest 30 mm round center bead and stepping down in 3 mm increments so the beads subtly change in scale. It starts at 30 mm, then moves to 27 mm, to 24 mm, to 21 mm, and finally to an 18 mm bead. The precise graduation demonstrates Monica’s skill and attention to detail, since to make the strand lie perfectly, she intuitively selected those exact increments to achieve a balanced, elegant drape.

This chunky necklace looks great on it’s own, but can be layered for more statement! Because of it’s satin finishing, you don’t have to take a polishing rag to it, since it’s not meant to be shiny! You can keep it in a zip lock store bag when not in use. There is some weight to this,so please go over that to be sure it’s the right weight for your neck.(see weight below)

PLEASE NOTE WHAT PRICING IS BASED ON :

With everything literally increasing in price, this necklace unfortunately was purchased AFTER the sterling & gold market went off the charts in regards to their price. This rising cost is reflected in what artists have to now pay per gram or ounce for the metal, as well as for their materials, which also have increased! Artists are now having to charge more because of this, which is being passed on to me, then passed on to you. Also included is the need to compensate Monica for her time and expertise required to create this..

INFO:

ARTIST: Monica Smith

TRIBAL AFFILAITION: Navajo

MEASUREMENT: 23-1/4"Long

WEIGHT: 6.7 Ounces (192 Grams)

METAL: Sterling

METAL FINISH: Satin- Heavily Oxidized by Hole of Bead

AVERAGE BEAD SIZE: From as large as 30 mm (About 1-1/8” Diameter) to as small as 18 mm (About 3/4’ Diameter)-See photo 9

SHAPE: Saucer

STRUNG ON: Sterling Chain

STYLE: Hand Made Navajo Pearls/Santa Fe Pearls

CLOSURE: Hand Made Hook & Eye

HALLMARK: “MS” with a Heart-Sterling" (ON LAST BEAD TOWARD CLOSURE)

Comes gift boxed

THESE ARE MADE BY HAND & NOT MACHINE,SO THERE COULD BE SLIGHT BEAD VARIATION BEAD SIZE

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SIGNATURE REQUIREMENT:

Anything with this kind of price tag, will have a mandatory signature confirmation requirement. 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.

PLEASE READ BEFORE PURCHASING:

To give you close up photos ,pictures 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 this is, please either check it out being worn to get a rough idea (photos) or you can pull out a tape measure & compare to my given measurements.