The Painted Desert Bloom - a Second Sunrise Cluster Necklace
There are necklaces that feel assembled. And then there are necklaces that feel discovered. The first time I laid this one on the table, I caught myself tracing the colors from one end to the other without even realizing it. Warm shell slowly gives way to increasingly vivid turquoise until, almost without warning, everything blooms into that incredible Royston cluster. It’s the kind of composition nature makes all the time—a desert floor after rain, color gathering in one place. Nothing about it feels forced. Everything about it feels inevitable. Why This Piece Matters This necklace brings together several traditions into a single, remarkably balanced composition. The substantial Royston cluster carries the bold sculptural language of classic Navajo jewelry, while the carefully graduated heshi strand creates movement and softness that keeps the piece feeling alive from every angle. Rather than treating every turquoise stone as identical, the maker celebrated their differences. Bright blues, soft greens, warm earth tones, and shell all work together, allowing every bead to contribute to the overall composition. It’s a piece that rewards a second look…and then a third. Artifact Registry Maker: Vintage Navajo (Reforged) Materials: Sterling Silver Stones: Collector-Grade Royston Turquoise with Vintage Mixed Turquoise and Shell Heshi Weight: 102 grams Length: 24 inches Collector’s Gallery Value: $1,800–2,400 Curator’s Field Observation The centerpiece features an exceptional natural Royston turquoise cabochon surrounded by an expressive cluster of complimentary turquoise stones ranging from bright sky blue to rich green. The varied palette gives the cluster depth and movement without sacrificing harmony. The graduated heshi strand is equally compelling. Beginning with warm shell before transitioning into increasingly saturated turquoise, it creates a natural visual rhythm that draws the eye toward the pendant while remaining beautiful in its own right. The silver spacers provide just enough punctuation without interrupting the flow. Eric’s Notes from the Field I love necklaces that don’t scream for attention. This one doesn’t have to. It just quietly sits there looking like something that belongs in a museum collection until somebody picks it up…and then suddenly they don’t want to put it back down.