Zuni Inlay Earrings

The Zuni’s are famous for a particular type of stonework called inlay. Stones are worked and then fit together, sometimes side by side, called stone-to-stone, or with silver channels in between, known as the channel inlay. The Zunis do not cast the silver. Each piece is meticulously fabricated. The traditional Zuni inlay are turquoise, red, coral, black onyx, and white mother of pearl. Symbolically, red represents Mother Earth and turquoise Father Sky. The black and white of the other stones is a further representation of dualities. Other stones that may be used in Zuni jewelry are Gaspeite, orange to purple Spiny Oyster. The pueblo of Zuni Native American Indians is located in western New Mexico (south of Gallup) near the Arizona border. Jewelry-making is the major craft industry of the village. Like other Pueblo peoples, Zuni Indian artisans possess a true talent for lapidary work.