There are as many varied styles and designs of turquoise necklaces as one could imagine. Simple necklaces made with turquoise pendants and attached to different sterling silver chain designs are very common. These styles are often crafted in combination with stone or shell beads to add contrast in design. Strung bead necklaces are another common form of Native American turquoise necklaces. These are made in a variation of lengths, shapes and forms. Large and small stone nuggets are strung into beautiful necklaces and cut pieces of shell and coral are added to the design. Santo Domingo necklaces made in a tapered or graduated form are exemplified by these techniques.

Necklace designs are often strung with a number of small animal figurines hand carved from a variety of natural stones. The figurines are seperated with tiny pieces of heishi made up of different types of shell. The Southwestern Indians have carved these animals, birds and native life forms for hundreds of years. The carving of shell or turquoise birds for necklaces is very common.
 
Necklaces made of silver beads with no stones are also popular. A crescent shaped pendant, called a naja, is often seen on many different Native American necklaces. The naja can be cast, fabricated by hand and made with or without stones. The turquoise disk bead necklace is also a common and most elegant design. Many of these flat and oval or round disks are strung together to form a very impressive piece of turquoise jewelry. Perhaps the most distinctive and exquisite design made by the Indians is called the squash blossom necklace. It can feature beautiful silver work with a modest amount of stone added or be made as a showpiece for the display of turquoise. The Navajos and Zunis are the creators of the majority of these very impressive pieces.