A jacla is a pair of loop earrings made of heishi beads that were originally worn by the Rio Grande Pueblo Indians although jacla are associated with the Navajo as well. The word "jacla" comes from the Navajo language meaning "ear string". These earrings were sometimes fastened to the bottom of a stone necklace as a pendant attachment. The jacla might match the necklace it is attached to or it may be of contrasting heishi beads. The jacla also feature tabs or "corn" found at the bottom center of the piece. These tabs can be turquoise, shell or coral.
The most sought after jacla are the older pieces with greasy green turquoise heishi. Turquoise absorbs body oils from the wearer and the older pieces develop into deeper greens depending on the hardness of the stone. A well loved and often worn necklace of turquoise tabs and heishi will have developed varying green colors making it so interesting and pleasing to look at.
