Sawasdee Kha or Welcome!
AuraWay specializes in Hill Tribe silver from the remote Northwest mountains of Thailand. The AuraWay jewelry line includes:
Why Hill Tribe Silver?
Hill Tribe silver is relatively new to the United States. It has distinctive visual qualities- - its color and imprinted motifs are exquisite. I've always loved indigenous jewelry, and found it fascinating that the Hill Tribes people use traditional symbols identical to those employed in the South American and Celtic cultures. They clearly did not have access to these cultures and yet the fish, swirls, and eye symbols (to name but a few) are exactly the same. The universal thread of human consciousness and experience expressed in different art forms and mediums across time and cultures has a powerful allure.
Silver 101
Like many Eastern cultures, the Hill Tribes people traditionally value silver over gold. We know gold has several different grades (e.g., 14K, 18K, etc.). The price of jewelry is based upon its' gold content. The same holds true for silver. Silver combined with an alloy determines its' color, strength, and price. Hill Tribe silver is unusual because of it's high silver content. Whereas sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver, Hill Tribe silver is typically 98 to99% pure silver. Visually, it looks more like white gold than silver. Hill Tribe silver is a little more expensive than sterling silver due to this high silver content; but you will find that it is uniquely beautiful and people definitely notice it! The high silver content of Hill Tribe jewelry also makes it more flexible and tarnish resistant than sterling silver.
Thailand's Hill Tribes
AuraWay's silver is hand crafted by one of the six Hill Tribes of Thailand. These independent mountain dwellers typically reside in the Northwest region of Thailand known as the Golden Triangle. It is believed they first migrated from China approximately 200 years ago. They brought with them traditional jewelry making skills and distinctive tribal patterns, passed down over innumerable generations. When they realized it was more profitable to grow opium, the jewelry making skills became an endangered art form. Thailand's monarch, His Majesty King Bhumibol, intervened. He promised the Hill Tribes could live in his nation if they gave up opium farming. He learned of their jewelry making skills and provided them with the silver, tools and commercial contacts needed to become self sufficient. A new chapter on Hill Tribe jewelry began...
New Trends
Like everyone else, the Hill Tribes people evolve. New patterns and items are introduced as a result of new experiences and influences. It still holds true however, that any given pattern --traditional or modern -- can be traced to a specific tribe, village and family. While the use for some Hill Tribe silver may be modern (e.g., cases made for business cards or cigarette lighters), the techniques employed in their creation are ancient.
Giving Back
The Hill Tribes people justifiably take great pride in their jewelry. AuraWay takes pride in our partnerships with these artisans, paying them a fair wage for their jewelry in addition to returning to them 10% of our profits. AuraWay is committed to increasing their prosperity by donating to foundations dedicated to improving life for the Hill Tribes--whether it be by building clean water systems, granaries or providing blankets, non-denominational education or livestock. We appreciate your interest and welcome you to the beautiful world of Hill Tribe silver!
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