While the number of our items are increased, we also upgrade the materials for the best quality of goods. Even though the price of silver is more expensive, many new items that we try to use it instead of metal bead. Most of silver beads that we use are from the north of Thailand, the products from the Hill Tribe.
The Hill Tribes have been highly respected silversmiths for hundreds of years old. They handcraft detailed jewelry components and beads from fine silver. Fine silver is soft 99.9% pure silver as compared to harder sterling silver which is 92.5% pure silver alloyed with 7.5% copper. Silver ingots are flattened into a sheet by pounding with hammers and made into wire by pulling it through ancient draw dies. Thin silver sheets are hammered into black tar molds to make shapes, then soldered and engraved. Because the silver from Hill Tribes are handmade, so the silversmiths cannot make it fast like making by machine and the products are no 2 pieces exactly alike.
The jewelry create by the Hill tribes are objects of classic beauty and symbolic significance. Historically, the Hill tribe people have used silver instead of paper money because they don’t trust in the paper. Even today some of them prefer silver coins, jewelry, silver ingots, and silver pipes and boxes, because they feel that even the time passed by, the silver always retain their value (This thinking become true, seeing from the silver price that increased everyday like gold.). In addition to the value of money, wearing silver jewelry signifies wealth, status and spirituality. It also help to protect the suitors to young women and it adds color and excitement to many rather routine lives.
Because of today's world use the paper money for trade, some Hill Tribes are make silver and beads for trade with the outside world, but some Hill Tribes are still make the silver and beads for their consumption. Selling the products from their skill are helping them to have the income for support their family and their tribes. The Tribal elders fear that they are slowly losing their skills and cultures. Purchasing jewelry made with hill tribe crafted silver can help them to support their silversmith traditions and allow their tribal culture to continue to survive.
Reference :
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art20392.asp
http://www.silverjewelryinfo.com/0604_Thai_Hilltribe.html
Picture Credit :
http://www.thisnext.com/tag/karen-hill-tribe-fine-silver-flower/
http://www.starsterlingsilver.com/thai-karen-sterling-silver-pendants-p-13.html
