Zuni Petit Point, Snake Eye & Needle Point Techniques (4 of 5)

The snake eye technique found in Zuni jewlery requires the same level of stonework skill as petit point, but creates a cabochon that resembles a sphere, or dot; thus looking like the eyes of a snake when finished. Typically an artist will create a small cylinder shape and then polish one of its ends round. The cabochon can then be cut to the necessary height. Once set in its sterling silver setting, the cabochon appears to be a small highly polished sphere.  The sterling silver cross penant pictured to the right is a great example of the snake eye technique in turquoise jewelry.