The best and most desired silver jewellery is usually handmade by master craftsmen rather than machine operators mass producing silver jewellery. Producing hand crafted silver jewellery is very labour intensive and time consuming. As hand crafted silver jewellery is priced much higher than their machine made counterparts due in a large part to the greater amount of labour involved only good quality gems tend to be used to 'crown' the piece.

Sterling Silver

Pure silver is a soft (Mohs rating of 3.25), easily-damaged metal, so it is often combined with 7.5% copper in order to produce a more sturdy material known as sterling silver and used for jewellery making. Sterling silver is usually identified by the numbers 925 stamped into it (representing the 92.5% pure silver, Mexican silver is only 90% silver and is stamped with 900). Sterling silver does not contain nickel - those with nickel allergies may find sterling silver pieces more suitable than some other alloys.

Silver vs Gold!

Silver is more adaptable than gold – working as well with casual as with glamorous fashion.

Silver is very affordable - no confusing karats to deal with.

Silver is the most reflective metal – outshining even gold.

Silver is flattering to all skin colours.

Thai Sterling Silver Jewellery

Early Hindu settlers, explorers and traders who spread from the Dravidian lands of southern and eastern India brought their ancient gold working traditions with them nearly 2,000 years ago. Their methods were adopted by the Dvaravati Mons of the Chao Phraya basin, the first pieces of crafted gold from the region in the 1st century (AD), were quite obviously Hindu-inspired.
The Mon people were the dominant influence on the early development of gold smithing in what is now known as Thailand and they were a strong factor in the development of gold crafts in the Khmer civilization that emerged in the east. The Tai (not Thai) people who migrated south from Yunnan were likewise influenced when they came into contact with the Mon.

In modern Thailand, gold is mainly crafted for modern gold necklaces and rings, which are used by many Thais as a method of saving money or holding an emergency fund. In spite of the practical purpose behind the modern day popularity the jewellery remains quite detailed and intricate.

The ancient Hindu influence also directed the development of silver work in Thailand but it was very much confined to creating decorative or ceremonial items and religious pieces such as trays, bowls and betel sets.

With the rise of Chiengmai (now known as Chiang Mai) 700 years ago and its indigenous handicraft industries, silver-tooling began to develop in earnest. For the first time fine decorative and jewellery items were created, this was due partly to an immigration of Burmese refugees who brought their arts and skills with them, the style know as northern Thai silver born from this melting pot of skills and cultures. Chiangmai remains famous for a wide variety of quality silverware.