Chiang Mai

Beautiful earth-tone Chinese turquoise, Thailand’s famous Hill Tribe silver, African brass, and intricate sunface spacers from India, make this distinct necklace a cultural wonder. This is a one-of-a-kind piece of art worthy of a museum gallery. It could, in fact, easily pass for an artifact from an ancient civilization.

The natural greens, blues, and browns of this vivid turquoise coupled with the seasoned silver and brass create a deep, rich saturation of color throughout the necklace. Bringing together styles from cultures around the world, this piece manages to maintain a completely unified look. Each distinct component adds its own unique flavor and at the same time adds to the harmony of the whole. This is truly an original piece of handcrafted artisan jewelry.

The two large silver beads in the center of the necklace are handmade from sterling silver in the mountains of Thailand. They are created individually by the Karen Hill Tribe people using traditional silversmithing techniques passed down from generation to generation. The bead-making process is often the work of the entire village with each person doing a part. These particular beads are created with torches, molding and tapping, and are then hammered to achieve the denting and antiqued.

The Hill tribes are located in the area referred to as the Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Laos and Burma all come together. Chiang Mai, in Northern Thailand is the threshold to this region.

Chinese turquoise discs are the focus of the necklace, carefully designed in two strands to optimize the boldness of the wonderful hues. Making a smooth transition from the turquoise to the brass, are intricately detailed triangle spacers from exotic India. These are handmade from sterling silver and antiqued. The matte brass beads are from Africa as are the amazing woven brass beads with the latter specifically made in a village near Kumasi, Ghana.

The necklace closes with two large brass rings and giant brass lobster clasp. Brass cable chain is added to make the necklace adjustable. I created an equally unique bracelet to accompany this artisan necklace.

• Chinese turquoise disc beads
• Thailand’s Hill Tribes handmade antiqued, hammered silver beads
• African brass matte-finish beads
• African "woven" brass beads
• Handmade India sterling silver exotic sunface bead
• Solid brass rings
• Solid copper jump rings
• Giant brass lobster clasp
• Brass cable chain