Spiny oysters are entirely and laboriously harvested by hand from the waters along the Eastern coast of California & Mexico. The bright orange shell was a symbol of prosperity and stress relief. Spiny oysters were used for food, their bright shells as a form of currency, and pieces of their shells were fashioned into jewelry.

For the native tribes of North America, the deer was seen as a messenger, an animal of power, and a totem representing sensitivity, intuition and gentleness. The pieces of deer antler on this necklace are hand carved to add a beautiful accent to the necklace.

About the Artist:
Tamara Stands and Looks Back-Spotted Tail is from Sicangu Lakota Oyate known as the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, one of the seven bands of the Great Sioux Nation. Tamara is the great granddaughter of Chief Stands and Looks Back and Mary Spotted Horse.
Her inspiration for jewelry making comes from years of studying Lakota history and its cultural values. Tamara defines her art as therapy and creates one of a kind pieces with good thoughts and prayer, so that whoever wears her creations may walk their path in life with good health and beauty because that is (wolakota) the Lakota way of life.

Native American History:
The production of Native American jewelry began thousands of years ago using stones, bones, coral, shells, and many other materials in the surrounding environment. These materials were made into wearable jewelry and traded for other goods between tribes. Much of the jewelry that is on the market to this day has been influenced by these early jewelry makers.