Hill Tribe Silver
Hill Tribe Silver is the name commonly used for handmade beads, pendants and findings made by tribal villagers in the Northern Thai "Gold Triangle " regions. Six distinct tribal groups comprise the Hill Tribes: Karen (Kariang, Yang), the Hmong (Meo), the Mien (Yeo), the Akha (Kaw), the Lahu (Mussur), and the Lisu (Lisaw). All tribes do silver smithing, and wear beads. Some of the tribes do trade with the outside world; others only make beads for their own consumption and for trade with neighboring tribes.
Hill Tribe Silver pieces are made by villagers by flattening silver ingots with hammers, then cutting and forming the resulting sheets into individual beads, pendants, and findings. Wire is created by pulling silver through draw dies. Each piece is unique and distinctive — and each tribe specializes in styles and quantities. Repoussé work is done by hammering the thin silver sheets into black tar molds.
Hill Tribe Silver pieces are .999 pure, without the alloys used in sterling silver. As a result, the silver has a softer patina and tarnishes less frequently than sterling or Bali silver. It is also much softer than silver containing copper or other alloys, and requires special care in storing to ensure tiny beads and details are not crushed or bent. Hill Tribe Silver pieces can be oxidized and tumble-polished to enhance details, but you will change some of the character of the piece when this finish is used.
Many companies who sell Hill Tribe Silver buy directly from the tribe artisans. The resurgence of beading in western cultures and resulting interest in Hill Tribe Silver has helped the villages retain their tradition of creating, wearing and selling beads and other silver objects. If you are concerned about the percentage of your purchase that goes to the Hill Tribe artisan, please question your distributor.
