I smiled the second I picked this one up.
Not because I hadn’t seen Navajo pearls before…
Because Leo Yazzie clearly woke up one morning and said,
“Let’s make them ridiculous.”
In the best possible way.
The first few beads are already impressive.
Then you get to the center and they just keep getting bigger.
And bigger.
At some point your brain quits thinking, “Those are nice Navajo pearls,” and starts thinking,
“Good lord… that’s one bead.”
I love jewelry that makes you laugh a little.
Not because it’s flashy.
Because it’s fearless.
This necklace has absolutely no interest in disappearing under a collar. It was built to be the centerpiece before you even think about adding a pendant.
That’s confidence.
Why This Piece Matters
Leo Yazzie is one of the most respected contemporary Navajo silversmiths, known for elevating traditional forms into collector-grade works through exceptional craftsmanship and bold design. His jewelry is highly sought after, and he has earned a reputation for meticulous silverwork and museum-quality execution throughout a career spanning decades.
This necklace is a perfect example of that philosophy.
Graduated Navajo pearls aren’t uncommon.
Graduated pearls of this scale are.
At over 210 grams, every handmade bead had to be individually formed, soldered, shaped, polished, and then carefully graduated so the transition from one size to the next feels completely effortless. That’s far more difficult than simply making large beads.
And then there’s the confidence of the design.
No turquoise.
No coral.
No ornament.
Leo Yazzie trusted the silver alone to carry the entire necklace.
When an artist of his caliber makes that decision, it’s because the craftsmanship itself has become the decoration.
That’s what separates a beautiful necklace from a collector’s piece.
Artifact Registry
Artifact: Big Sky
Maker: Leo Yazzie
Tribe: Navajo (Diné)
Date: Contemporary
Materials: Sterling Silver
Weight: 210 grams
Construction: Monumental handcrafted graduated Navajo pearl necklace featuring individually fabricated sterling silver saucer beads with traditional hook-and-eye closure.
Collector’s Gallery Value: $19,000
Estimated value for an equivalent Leo Yazzie masterpiece offered through a premier gallery specializing in Native American jewelry.
Curator’s Field Observation
This necklace demonstrates extraordinary control of proportion. The dramatic graduation creates visual movement while preserving perfect balance, allowing the substantial center beads to command attention without overwhelming the composition. Monumental strands by Leo Yazzie are highly collectible, and examples of this scale represent the artist’s ability to transform one of the most traditional forms in Navajo jewelry into an unmistakable statement of contemporary craftsmanship.
Eric’s Notes from the Field
I think this necklace teaches a really good lesson.
People assume “more” is what makes something impressive.
It isn’t.
It’s commitment.
Leo committed to an idea and refused to back away from it.
He didn’t make big beads…
He made the biggest beads the necklace needed.
There’s a difference.
And when you see it in person, you get it immediately.
Big Sky - Monumental Leo Yazzie Vintage Navajo Pearls
Sterling Silver
Native-Made & Handcrafted with Care
Navajo Pearls
Have a burning question? Please feel free to contact us
I smiled the second I picked this one up.
Not because I hadn’t seen Navajo pearls before…
Because Leo Yazzie clearly woke up one morning and said,
“Let’s make them ridiculous.”
In the best possible way.
The first few beads are already impressive.
Then you get to the center and they just keep getting bigger.
And bigger.
At some point your brain quits thinking, “Those are nice Navajo pearls,” and starts thinking,
“Good lord… that’s one bead.”
I love jewelry that makes you laugh a little.
Not because it’s flashy.
Because it’s fearless.
This necklace has absolutely no interest in disappearing under a collar. It was built to be the centerpiece before you even think about adding a pendant.
That’s confidence.
Why This Piece Matters
Leo Yazzie is one of the most respected contemporary Navajo silversmiths, known for elevating traditional forms into collector-grade works through exceptional craftsmanship and bold design. His jewelry is highly sought after, and he has earned a reputation for meticulous silverwork and museum-quality execution throughout a career spanning decades.
This necklace is a perfect example of that philosophy.
Graduated Navajo pearls aren’t uncommon.
Graduated pearls of this scale are.
At over 210 grams, every handmade bead had to be individually formed, soldered, shaped, polished, and then carefully graduated so the transition from one size to the next feels completely effortless. That’s far more difficult than simply making large beads.
And then there’s the confidence of the design.
No turquoise.
No coral.
No ornament.
Leo Yazzie trusted the silver alone to carry the entire necklace.
When an artist of his caliber makes that decision, it’s because the craftsmanship itself has become the decoration.
That’s what separates a beautiful necklace from a collector’s piece.
Artifact Registry
Artifact: Big Sky
Maker: Leo Yazzie
Tribe: Navajo (Diné)
Date: Contemporary
Materials: Sterling Silver
Weight: 210 grams
Construction: Monumental handcrafted graduated Navajo pearl necklace featuring individually fabricated sterling silver saucer beads with traditional hook-and-eye closure.
Collector’s Gallery Value: $19,000
Estimated value for an equivalent Leo Yazzie masterpiece offered through a premier gallery specializing in Native American jewelry.
Curator’s Field Observation
This necklace demonstrates extraordinary control of proportion. The dramatic graduation creates visual movement while preserving perfect balance, allowing the substantial center beads to command attention without overwhelming the composition. Monumental strands by Leo Yazzie are highly collectible, and examples of this scale represent the artist’s ability to transform one of the most traditional forms in Navajo jewelry into an unmistakable statement of contemporary craftsmanship.
Eric’s Notes from the Field
I think this necklace teaches a really good lesson.
People assume “more” is what makes something impressive.
It isn’t.
It’s commitment.
Leo committed to an idea and refused to back away from it.
He didn’t make big beads…
He made the biggest beads the necklace needed.
There’s a difference.
And when you see it in person, you get it immediately.
