A row of blooming flowers dangles from this intricate Hill Tribe necklace. Hill Tribe silver is a signature craft of the Karen Tribe of Southeast Asia. Hill Tribe silver has a higher content than that of sterling. 94% to 98% of Hill Tribe silver is pure!
Necklace measures 17 inches long and has a 2-inch chain extension (19 inches long total). Necklace band is about 0.25 inches wide. Dangling flowers are about 0.20 inches in diameter each. Necklace weighs about 36 grams.
- Floral Hill Tribe necklace
- Made of Hill Tribe silver
- 17 inches long, 2-inch extension
- Measures 19 inches long total
- Band is about 0.25 inches wide
- Weighs about 36 grams
- Made in Laos
design: A double row of small stamped silver beads forms the collar, giving way at the front to a fringe of oxidized flower dangles that swing freely with movement.
size: 17 inches long with a 2-inch extender chain (19 inches total); band is about 0.25 inches wide; each flower dangle is about 0.20 inches in diameter; weighs about 36 grams.
material: Hill Tribe silver (94%-98% pure silver, higher fine-silver content than standard sterling)
features: Oxidized (blackened) finish that sets off the stamped floral detail, dangling flower fringe along the front of the necklace, adjustable 2-inch extension chain, lobster clasp closure
care: Store in a sealed bag or box away from air and moisture, and polish occasionally with a silver cloth to keep the oxidized detailing crisp.
disclaimer: As a handworked piece, small variations in the flowers' spacing, oxidation, and stamped detail are normal and are part of its handmade character.
The Story
Hill Tribe silver is the signature metalwork of the Karen people of Southeast Asia, long recognized for silver with an exceptionally high fine-silver content rather than the lower percentage used in standard sterling. Pieces are commonly worked with an oxidized, blackened background so that stamped or repoussé detail reads with more contrast and depth.
The repeating flower motif seen along this necklace's fringe is a familiar element in Hill Tribe silverwork, built up bead by bead and stamp by stamp rather than cast in a single mold. The layered bead collar paired with a dangling fringe is a construction style associated with festive and ceremonial silver jewelry in the region, where multiple small dangling elements were valued both for their sound and movement and for the amount of hand labor they represented.
This particular necklace was made in Laos, where the same hand-stamping and dangle-fringe techniques associated with Hill Tribe silver are practiced by artisan silversmiths.
A necklace like this starts with silver worked by hand into small individual beads and flower-shaped discs, each one stamped or pressed with a punch to raise the floral pattern before the piece is oxidized to darken the recessed detail. The flower dangles are formed separately, then hand-linked one by one along the front of the necklace so they hang and move independently. Assembling dozens of small components into one finished, evenly spaced piece is time-consuming, detail-oriented work, and it is what gives the necklace its fringe of movement.
Craft & Materials
- Made In: Laos
- Craft Tradition: Hill Tribe silver
- Ideal For: Someone who wants a statement necklace with texture and movement for everyday or dressed-up wear
- Wear It With: Wear with a simple neckline that lets the flower fringe take center stage, layered under a collar or alone over a solid top
- Purpose: Everyday wear, special occasions, layering piece, gift
- Metal: Hill Tribe silver
Questions & Answers
What is Hill Tribe silver, and how is it different from sterling silver?
Hill Tribe silver is worked at 94%-98% pure silver, a higher fine-silver content than standard sterling silver (92.5%). It's a hand-stamping and metalworking tradition associated with the Karen people of Southeast Asia.
How long is the necklace, and can it be adjusted?
It measures 17 inches long with a 2-inch extension chain, for a total length of 19 inches, so you can wear it at either length.
Why is the silver darkened in the recessed areas?
The necklace has an oxidized finish, which deliberately blackens the recessed detail around each stamped flower so the floral pattern stands out against the polished silver.
Will the flower dangles tarnish or need special care?
Like any silver piece, it can tarnish over time with air exposure. Store it in a sealed bag between wears and polish gently with a silver cloth to maintain the contrast in the oxidized detail.
Is this necklace handmade, so will each one look slightly different?
Yes. Each flower dangle and bead is individually stamped and hand-linked, so minor variations in spacing and finish are normal and part of its handmade character.
