Pendant, elaborate Zuni Inlay, shield shape, spiny oyster, Ray Jack

This extraordinary shield-shaped pendant by renowned Zuni artist Ray Jack features a masterfully inlaid mosaic of jet, red spiny oyster, gaspeite, turquoise, mother of pearl, and sterling silver. With precision and depth, Jack creates a radiant explosion motif—evocative of a desert sunrise or cosmic gateway—framed in fine sterling silver with a hand-cut bezel.

The piece is anchored by a vivid panel of red spiny oyster at the base, adding warmth and contrast to the sharp, symmetrical geometry above.

Gaspeite, with its soft green hue, is used sparingly but effectively to draw the eye into the center, while the crisp interplay of black and white jet gives the design its graphic clarity. Sterling silver inlay dots scatter like stardust across the jet background.

Ray Jack is celebrated for his intricate stone inlay work and contemporary interpretations of traditional Zuni artistry. This pendant is a showstopping example of his craftsmanship—bold in size, rich in symbolism, and impossible to ignore.