This necklace is made up of 31 strands of coral. Each strand is threaded with tiny pieces of coral. In the lower center of the necklace are four shorter strands called jaclas, which form a loop over the coral strands. The jaclas are made of tubular beads of turquoise. They double back abruptly with the two sides hanging closely parallel. At the center of each jacla strand are threaded three wedge-shaped beads. The two outer beads are made of white shell with a bead of turquoise in between.

Jaclas made of loops of turquoise beads were originally worn as ear pendants, looped over the ears. They were frequently hung on the necklace as pendants when they were not on the ears. Eventually, the jacla became a standard part of the turquoise and coral necklaces. Since the late 19th century it has been customary to tie them to coral, turquoise or turquoise and shell bead necklaces as a center pendant.

Activity: What does the shape of these three beads on the jacklas remind you of? Do you think this shape was chosen because it symbolized something or had a special meaning? Explain.