Isleta Pueblo 14k gold pendant on 14k chain, with inlayed sugilite and opal, purchased directly from Andy Lee Kirk (d. 2001) in 1997 at his Isleta Pueblo studio.

Andy Lee Kirk was born with Isleta and Navajo heritage in 1947. He studied at the University of New Mexico, earning his degree in Biology.

His first job after university was with the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service, followed by service in the US Forest Service. He continued his efforts as a jewelry maker simultaneously, eventually becoming a full-time jeweler.

Famed Hopi artist, Charles Loloma, and Navajo jeweler, Gibson Nez, were influencers for Andy Lee Kirk as he mastered lapidary, creating his own beads, and honed his skills as a goldsmith, including lost wax and sandcasting, engraving and overlay. He taught all this to his daughter Melanie, and his brother, Michael, establishing a Kirk legacy of excellence behind.

Pricing of this splendid necklace and pendant is based on the replacement cost of gold, the renown of the artist, and the fact that he is now deceased. Gold has always been costly for Native American jewelers. That was true when this rare treasure was first acquired, but the replacement cost today is higher by a factor of 5.

Out of respect for the artist, who paired the necklace chain and pendant when it was sold to us, it is only available as a complete entity.

ZuniLink will provide a Certificate of Authenticity.

If you purchase it and don’t love it when you see it in person, your purchase price will be refunded in full if returned in condition identical to that it was in when you receive it.

This treasured necklace and pendant is shipped FREE via USPS within the 48 mainland United States.

If you require insurance coverage, there will be an additional charge based on current rates.

Necklace 11 1/2” long. Pendant 2” long x 3/4” wide #JQ55