About 40 years ago, I said I thought turtles were kinda neat. I now have a lot of gifted turtles. A plethora of turtles. I have turtle acreage. I thought you might enjoy some of them!
ETA: I just want to explain that some of these don’t have markings that I could find. The black night-sky inlay is Frank Yellowhorse. I’ll put the mark down in a reply to this.
I need to make better pictures of this one, sorry.
And here’s the back of the Frank Yellowhorse inlay and the purple and turquoise multi.
Amazing necklace. What are the stones?
Thank you! It’s cowrie shells and turquoise. I’ve actually seen a couple of these come up for sale over the years. Here are some closer pics of the shells:
Thanks. I have never seen anything like that. Does it have a hallmark?
Yes, though it’s in a difficult spot to photograph–right where the side turtles are attached. I have a link bracelet from a different set (the turtle have red feet instead of plain turquoise) and that is signed Bill and Lou Zuni.
ETA to add a pic:
Bill and Lou Laweka…I have a pair of earrings with this hallmark. According to our friendly Google AI, and some more reputable sources, they were known for cowrie shell turtles among other things. Really cool!
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-bill-lou-laweka-zuni-sterling-1544535074
That’s great to know, thank you! There’s a big set on ebay right now, too. It has a cuff and a link bracelet like mine, but the little feet on the link bracelet are black.
@Marlowe Wow, you’ve got a terrific collection of turtle jewelry. I’ve never seen a NA necklace before that uses cowrie shells & turquoise. Very unique. Just a little Fyi ~ members are always interested in seeing any hallmarks on jewelry which are usually on the back of a piece. Meaning, more photos to upload 
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Understood. I didn’t want to just show up to a new place and start spamming!
@Marlowe That’s appreciated since spamming is generally frowned upon (as I imagine it would be in any forum).
Wow! That’s a lotta turtles! I especially like your little inlay guy with the long neck, and the one with the $1 coin. And I think I have a distant frog elder cousin to your turtle 
You do! It looks like mine has his grand-cousin’s hands. That little Zuni turtle is so funny–the photos are named “snurtle” both to make the file easier to find, and because…snoot.
I’ve seen cowrie shell and turquoise jewelry (I have a bolo by Bill & Lou. Laweke), but haven’t seen a squash blossom style necklace!
I also have some turtle fetishes; these are spotted serpentine (left by Emerson Valle, right by Leland Boone):
Aren’t those lovely! I like the expressions on the pottery turtles. I got my mother a Randy Chitto turtle years ago–have you seen his turtles and bears? The facial expressions are wonderful.
Thank you @Marlowe. I haven’t seen Chitto’s pottery turtles, but I believe I saw some of his bears etc at Sorrel Sky Gallery in Santa Fe . Mine are all older pieces from differing Pueblo’s, they are fun and make me smile!
