Traditional Navajo Artisan-LONNIE WILLIE- (Ronnies Brother/Mentor) Gorgeous Intense Green "Emerald Valley Turquoise"-Sterling Lariat Necklace-32-5/8"
Traditional Navajo Artisan-LONNIE WILLIE- (Ronnies Brother/Mentor) Gorgeous Intense Green "Emerald Valley Turquoise"-Sterling Lariat Necklace-32-5/8"
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:
Designed with an unmistakable Navajo aesthetic, this necklace showcases some ultra‑fabulous, deeply saturated green “Emerald Valley” turquoise that is mainly designed with various sized oval cut shapes. Beautifully made in lariat‑style necklace, Lonnie intentionally kept the design simple, so the full attention remains on the rich and intense colored stones. Minimal sterling detailing was used—purposefully avoiding excess metalwork that might distract from the vivid beauty of the turquoise.
Dictating its 32-5/8” length (with the drop) is based on the size of each stone. These are not your average skimpy, lightweight, “can’t hardly see them” stones, but rather each one holds its own, with substantial carat weight, so they’re nice and chunky and highly noticeable!
In the neckline, there are 8 stones total, arranged in an alternating pattern with sterling beads sitting at the top and bottom of some settings, and plain wire wraps on the others (see photos). Attached to the neckline is a 3-5/8” long pendant drop designed as a movable two-stone element that features an oval cut and a large trillion cut, along with Lonnie’s distinctive stamp work. On each side there is a 5” handmade, fully usable extender chain so you can easily adjust the fit by placing the hook anywhere along the links. (See lengths on mannequin in photos 2 & 3) The stones are set in a softly satin, lightly oxidized finish for a subtle, vintage-inspired look.
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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, 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
TURQUOISE: Emerald Valley
INNER WEARABLE LENGTH: 29" (Without center drop-Measured laid out horizontally)
ADD CENTER DROP MEASUREMENT: 3-5/8" X 1.75" (At the widest part of the trillion cut drop)
TOTAL LENGTH: 32-5/8"
USABLE EXTENDER ADJUSTABLE CHAIN: 5"(Per Side)
WEIGHT: 181.6 Grams~ 6.40 Ounces
STONE CUTS: Oval-Trillion
AMOUNT OF CUTS: 10
METAL: Sterling Silver
METAL FINISH: Satin-Lightly Oxidized
CLOSURE STYLE: Hook & Eye
HALLMARK: Lonnie Willie/Sterling
Comes Gift Boxed
In the last 3 photos,I have listed another of Lonnie’s Lariat necklaces that’s made in high grade Chrysocolla, so please check that out! (Same category)
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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 do however find that photographing anything with 'yellow' in it, (greens & oranges) are very hard to photograph, since this color can come up much more vivid than other colors, so please take this into consideration & go through all photos to see any variation. 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.
