This traditional Hill Tribe bib necklace forms a slight "V" shape around your neck. Exquisitely detailed, the necklace’s band features minute floral designs of Hill Tribe silver. Hill Tribe Silver is a signature craft of the Karen Tribe of Southeast Asia and has a higher silver content than sterling. 94% to 98% of Hill Tribe silver is pure!
Necklace measures 16 inches long and has a 3-inch chain extension. The necklace band is about 0.5 inches wide. Weighs about 50 grams.
- Floral tribal V necklace
- Made of Hill Tribe silver
- The necklace is 16-19 inches long
- Made with an adjustable length
- Band is 0.375 to 0.5 inches wide
- Weighs about 42 grams
- Made in Laos
design: A collar-style necklace that tapers into a soft V at the front, built from rows of small silver florets and beaded studs that graduate in size toward the center point.
size: Necklace band is about 0.375 to 0.5 inches wide; length is adjustable via a 3-inch extender chain (listing states 16 to 19 inches overall).
material: Hill Tribe silver, 94% to 98% pure silver content.
features: Adjustable extender chain, hook clasp, oxidized (antiqued) finish that darkens the recesses of each floret, graduated floral rows that widen toward the front V
care: Store in a sealed bag or box away from air and moisture, and polish gently with a soft silver cloth to maintain the oxidized detail without over-buffing it away.
disclaimer: Because each floret and bead is hand-formed and soldered by hand, slight variations in shape, spacing, and oxidation are normal and part of the piece's handmade character.
The Story
This necklace is made in the Hill Tribe silver tradition of the Karen people, an ethnic group whose communities span the highlands of Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar. Karen silversmiths have long worked silver at a higher purity than standard sterling, and the 94-98% content noted here is a hallmark of that practice rather than a decorative claim.
The repeating floret pattern along the band is a signature of Hill Tribe metalwork: small silver beads and petal shapes are formed individually and clustered together, building texture and dimension out of many tiny repeated units rather than a single cast form. Here the rows graduate in size, thickening toward the center front to create the necklace's V-shaped silhouette.
The oxidized, blackened finish in the recesses is a deliberate treatment applied after the silver is formed, used to bring out the depth of the floral detail by contrasting dark shadow against bright silver highlights.
A piece like this starts with individual silver beads and florets, hand-formed and soldered together in small clusters along a linked band. Building up dozens of these repeated units by hand, row by row, is what gives the necklace its dense, textured surface. Once assembled, the silver is oxidized to darken the recessed areas, then finished so the raised florets and beading catch the light. It's slow, hand-intensive work, and the piece carries the small, natural variations that come with each part being individually shaped rather than machine-stamped.
Craft & Materials
- Made In: Laos
- Craft Tradition: Hill Tribe silver (Karen tribe silversmithing)
- Ideal For: Someone who wants a statement silver necklace with genuine handcraft detail for both dressed-up and everyday wear
- Wear It With: Let it stand alone over a simple neckline, or pair with a plain blouse or dress that gives the floral silverwork room to be the focal point
- Purpose: Everyday wear, special occasions, gifting, layering piece for a jewelry collection
- Metal: Hill Tribe silver (94-98% pure)
Questions & Answers
How long is the necklace and can it be adjusted?
The necklace comes with a 3-inch extender chain so you can adjust the fit; overall length runs in the 16 to 19 inch range depending on how the extender is worn.
What is Hill Tribe silver, and how is it different from sterling silver?
Hill Tribe silver is hand-worked silver made by Karen artisans, typically 94% to 98% pure, which is a higher silver content than standard sterling silver (92.5%).
Why does the necklace have a dark, antiqued look in places?
The silver is oxidized after it's formed, which darkens the recessed detail of each floret so the raised silverwork stands out in contrast.
Will the necklace tarnish over time?
All fine silver can tarnish with air exposure; store it in a sealed bag or box when not in use and polish gently with a soft silver cloth as needed.
Is every piece exactly identical?
No. Because the florets and beading are hand-formed and assembled individually, you may notice small variations in shape and spacing from piece to piece — that's a natural sign of the handwork, not a flaw.
