Behind the Scenes
Long-standing traditions and cultural meanings are a part of the creation of each Tuareg jewelry piece. With every handmade and uniquely crafted piece, history is preserved, whether it be through the blacksmiths or in the community.
Artisans who mastered the difficult skill of working with fire are able to generate beautiful pieces unique to the Tuareg community.
Metals worked in an artisanal way have exceptional mechanical and physical properties. Working with silver requires mastery, listening skills, and extreme patience.
In Tuareg societies, people who work with metal represent a separate group, called “inadans.”
They are able to escape the social hierarchy, and also play the role of steward or ambassador for their community.
These blacksmiths work with rudimentary tools to melt, cut, and engrave metal. Then, they polish and refine their pieces with great attention to detail in the choice of patterns.
With a closer look and an eye for appreciation, Tuareg jewlery is a real wonder of the world.
The Tuareg silver jewerly has been in place since ancient times- a unique aspect to consider.
Dating back to ancient times, Tuareg women have had a superstitious fear of gold preventing them from wearing it. Thus, s
ilver is the main base metal for Tuareg jewelry. It is cut with other metals because silver, like gold, is too soft and malleable to be used pure. It is therefore Silver 925/1000 (that contains 92,5% pure silver).
Silver jewelry holds a special place in each Tuareg family’s heritage.
Each piece of jewelry is a message that bears an often-forgotten symbol. Each necklace worn by a Tuareg woman evokes diverse historical anecdotes of a people, region, and town. These can include
various symbols of man, woman, pregnancy, and birth.
Traditionally, the southern cross, or the cross of Agadez or Iferwan, was worn exclusively by men and was passed from father to son during puberty.
The symbol alluded to the young man's virility and his traditional nomadism. The cross represents the camel's saddle pommel or the four cardinal directions. When a father gives the cross to his son, he uses the eternal phrase, “My son, I give you the four directions of the world, to come back among us to die”.
The production of jewelry not only has symbolic value, but also holds economic importance. It cam serve as a bargaining chip.
Jewellery made by artisans (craftsmen) from Niger.
All the jewellery is made using the age-old tradition started by jewellery craftsmen from Niger.
All components must be produced in the same way as traditionally used by jewellery craftsmen in Niger.
The metal used is 925/1000 silver. It is not mixed with any other metal except for the minimum amount necessary to work the silver
Each handmade piece comes with a certificate of authentication.