A traditional Pueblo jewelry adornment, a jacla is two loops of heishi that were originally earrings and sometimes fastened to the bottom of a stone necklace as a pendant-like attachment.
Jacla is Navajo for “ear string”. The Navajo spelling is the most commonly used version of the word. Jocla is also common but jackla is a phonetic mis-spelling. Although jaclas are attributed to the Rio Grande Pueblo Indians, they were traded with other tribes so have become associated with the Navajo as well. They are seen in vintage photos being worn by members of all southwest tribes, both men and women.
In the oldest style necklaces, the jacla is a pair of loop earrings tied onto the necklace.
The two loops would be removed from the necklace and used as earrings. This is how the jacla originated. This necklace is likely from 1910-1920.
I can picture a pre-European-contact Rio Grande Puebloan taking his or her jewelry off and storing it that way. And sometimes when not wanting to wear earrings, just leaving the jacla on the necklace as a pendant.
The jacla might match the necklace it is attached to or be of contrasting heishi. Most jaclas have tabular pieces in the bottom center that are called “corn”. They are most often made from white or orange (spiny oyster) shell or coral. According to Mark Bahti, author of Collecting Southwestern Native American jewelery, jaclas with spiny oyster shell corn are rarely seen and highly prized by many Indians.
The tips of the jacla loops are traditionally finished off with coral, a contrasting shell or trade beads, often red.
In the early 20th century, jaclas started to be incorporated into part of the necklace, so this necklace would have likely been made after 1920, likely in the 50s.
Contemporary artists use the jacla design in many ways such as this block turquoise jacla necklace with spiny oyster corn.
And here’s one in very fine heishi from Santo Domingo artist Paul Tenorio
Loop earrings are basically a miniature version of a jacla – they are made with and without corn.
Paula
Native American Jewelry Tips 
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Thank you very much for all the info on your pages. I was trying to find info on a necklace my father bought for my mother back in the ’70s, and was surprised to find all I needed here. It is a beautiful tourqoise necklace that was crafted by a master. Although, I can’t seem to find any marks to identify the maker, it is a beautiful piece of work. Thank you again for the all the help.
So glad you found some helpful information Paul !
Paula
I’m curious to know exactly how traditional jacla were worn on the ears, before modern pierced ear posts and wires. I’ve heard varying explanations: they were draped around the ear; they were tied onto headdress and looped around the ear; etc… I need to picture it!
Love the website – thanks.
Hi, I like the indepth style and knowledge of your NA program. I am re-aquainting myself
back into NA craftsmanship. Thanks for your presence! I will be back. Regards, Albert
Thank you and welcome. Paula
How do I purchase a jacla like this u have on ur website?
Keep an eye here
http://www.horsekeeping.com/jewelry/pawn/pawnshop-vin.htm
Paula
I would like to know if you may give some info as to where can I locate the name of who made
a necklace I have…beautiful handcrafted Jacla purple yellow and turquoise
Enjoyed browsing thru all the handcrafted jewelry designs.
The Hopi or Navajo maiden would drape them over her ears. When she got married she would hang them up on her nugget necklace. I’ve had a clasp put on them so I can put them at the bottom of my necklace OR add extensions to them & wear them as a choker. Perhaps with an Indian enhancer on it. Very versatile. God bless you.
Thank you.
This is Donnie Red it’s all beautiful jewelry every piece look forward to seeing more of itl
Thank you ! Paula
Thank you Paula. I recently bought a jet disc necklace with a Turquoise Jacla on it and wondered what it was. The necklace was made by Lupe Lovato and is absolutely gorgeous. I appreciate any information on the jewelry I buy, and on the artist.
marcus. just was gifted with a pair of jacla ear strings. Though i collect some baskets, pottery, bolas and paintings, I’d never seen these handsome objects before and have the question of how to identify the age of the ear strings given to me. The heishi are uniform jn size of a strong turquoise blue green with small bits of black and bits of white quartz sparely found in the disks.
The “corn” centered at the apex of where the heishi bend back to form the loops and are of the spiny orange oyster on one surface and white on the other. The white surface has some pitting. The tips are red coral and the loops are held together with a strands of woven light colored fine cordage.
The jacla were mixed in a box of items which generally date from the 1920s/30, such as a Czechoivakian glass and gilded brass choker and tibetian turquoise inlaid cross and a long turquoise blocky small chunks of turquoise. The box also contained a large picture book titled wild beauty of sliver and platium photos of the Columbia River gorge before the Dalles dam was built destroying the Celilo falls natural salmon fishing loction where the Wisham and Willamette’s netted salmon.
thanks if your able to answer my question from my description or can direct me in further research.
ve this info, additional. My Jakla was worn by a maiden. When she was wed, she would then hang them at the bottom of her nugget necklace. Mine I had made into a choker. I hang different kinds of enhancers from it. Yes please keep the info. I don’t know if it is Hope Or Navajo XOXOXO May the Lord bless you and your loved ones, Caryl