Handmade by Navajo artist Kimberly Tom, these sterling silver stacker bracelets pair richly striped purple wampum shell with genuine turquoise and handmade sterling silver beads. The natural purple, lavender, cream and charcoal tones of the shell make every strand beautifully varied, while turquoise accents add that unmistakable Southwestern contrast.
At the center are bench-made sterling silver beads, individually detailed and oxidized to bring out their stamped geometric design. Finished with sterling silver accent beads and a sterling clasp with extender links, these are substantial enough to wear alone but made for stacking.
Each bracelet is individually sized—choose your exact fit.
DETAILS
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Artist: Kimberly Tom
- Navajo handmade
- Purple wampum shell
- Genuine turquoise accents
- Sterling silver
- Bench-made sterling silver focal beads
- Sterling silver clasp & findings
- Extender links for a little adjustability
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Available sizes: 6.75” or 7”
- Natural shell and turquoise will vary in color and pattern
A Little History of Wampum
Wampum has a history in Indigenous cultures of the Eastern Woodlands that reaches back centuries. Traditionally crafted from shell—including the rich purple portions of quahog clam shell—wampum beads held cultural, diplomatic and ceremonial significance. Wampum belts and strings could be used to record agreements, commemorate events, convey messages and affirm relationships between communities.
Wampum also became involved in trade and, particularly during the colonial period, was at times formally used as currency. Its history, however, extends well beyond the simplified idea of “shell money”—wampum carried social and cultural meaning long before Europeans assigned it a monetary value.
Today, wampum continues to be used in both traditional and contemporary Indigenous art and jewelry.
