The Art of Inlay

Fish scale inlay — known among Zuni artists as scalloped channel work — is one of the most demanding lapidary techniques in the tradition. Silversmith Lynelle Johnson has hand-cut each turquoise stone for these earrings into a curved profile, then fitted them into silver channels so they overlap in a continuous, flowing pattern. The result is a surface that moves with light.

Details...

Material: Sterling silver with natural turquoise
Technique: Zuni fish scale (scalloped channel) inlay
Silversmith: Lynelle Johnson, Zuni Pueblo
Style: Post with push-back
Drop: 2¼"
Hallmarked by the artist
Country of origin: USA