Joe Pacheco began his jewelry making career working with his mother. In 1980 he started doing the style that has made him internationally known. Pacheco and his wife, Marilyn, carefully craft each of their necklaces from Kingman turquoise. It takes about a week to make one necklace. Each bead must be carefully shaped, tapered, and strung. They are separated by tiny shell heishi so the each turquoise wafer stands out. These necklaces are unique and will be a source of enjoyment for many years. Most artists do not make the wafer heishi anymore because of the difficulty and breakage rate.
