Native American Skull & Kokopelli Medallion — .925 Silver & Copper
SKU: 3803
A feather-headdress skull on one side, a flute-player figure on the other — this reversible medallion pendant carries two familiar Southwestern-style motifs in .925 sterling silver with genuine copper inlay. The "Good Vibrations" motto is engraved into the border alongside a ring of stars. 21mm wide, 33mm tall, 6 grams. Flip it depending on your mood.
Built For
If Southwestern symbolism resonates with you — both faces are commercial designs rather than documented tribal imagery, and it is worth knowing that up front. The headdressed skull is a jewelry-trade motif, not a symbol from any nation. The flute player is the modern figure called Kokopelli — the rock art behind that name is genuinely old, the single trickster god is not. The copper inlay is our own material choice.
If you want a two-in-one pendant — The reversible design means you display one symbol at a time. The headdress skull is more solemn. The flute player is more playful. At 21×33mm, both sides have enough surface area for the detail to read clearly. Six grams is light enough to flip freely on a chain.
If you collect two-tone jewelry — The copper inlay against .925 silver creates a warm-against-cool color contrast that develops further as both metals patina at different rates. The copper darkens faster, deepening the contrast over months of wear. Best for collectors who like jewelry that evolves.
The Honest Take
The skull has a full feathered headdress that fans outward — each feather is individually defined. The eye sockets and jawline are carved with detail that's surprising at this size. The copper accents sit flush with the silver, creating a color change you feel as a seam when you run your thumbnail across it.
The Kokopelli on the reverse is a silhouette figure in the classic hunched-over flute-playing pose. The star border surrounding both sides has individual five-pointed stars engraved around the medallion's edge. "Good Vibrations" runs along this border — readable up close but not at arm's length.
Six grams sits lightly on a chain. The medallion rotates freely, so both sides show naturally throughout the day. The .925 hallmark is present. The two-tone copper and silver combination means this pendant looks warmer than an all-silver piece, especially under indoor lighting.
Under the Hood
Before You Buy
Q: Who is Kokopelli?
Kokopelli is a modern English label, not one being. It covers Southwestern rock-art flute players, the Hopi katsina Kookopölö — modeled on a robber fly, and not a flute player — and the commercial silhouette on this medallion. The rock art is about a thousand years old; the single god of music and spring is a later, outside invention.
Q: Will the copper darken?
Yes — copper patinas faster than silver, developing a warm brown tone as it ages, while the silver darkens more slowly. That difference actually deepens the contrast between the two metals, which suits the Southwestern look. If you prefer uniform brightness, a jewelry polishing cloth brings both metals back to a fresh shine in a minute or two.
Q: Can I choose which side faces out?
The pendant hangs freely on a chain, so both sides show naturally as it rotates. On a heavier chain, you can position one side forward and it tends to stay. On lighter chains, it rotates between both designs throughout the day.
At a Glance
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The Tri-Metal Mexican Sugar Skull Pendant shares the same two-tone copper-and-silver construction with a Dia de los Muertos theme — different culture, same craft approach.
For a different skull medallion, the Gold & Sterling Silver Two-Tone Skull Pendant uses brass instead of copper for the second metal.
Browse the full skull pendant collection for more two-tone options.
