Fancy Tibet Silver
Yunnan China and Miao Silver
I have been living in China for five years now, and I have discovered that two of my favourite things are travelling and jewelry. My husband and I travel every chance we get. We know the buses, trains, subways, taxis, boats and planes in Asia very well. We go to all the little towns and villages and feel like we are a world away from the big, busy city we are living in down in the south of China.
On one trip we went out to Western China to Yunnan. We walked through all the open air markets and the night markets, our favourites in any city or country. We were amazed at the amount of jewelry being sold at each market, mostly silver. We saw huge bangles, necklaces, silver hats and head pieces and even silver cow horns. Women in the markets and sidewalks all had large blankets spread out with their shining silver treasures. We soon found out that the silver jewelry we were seeing everywhere was called Miao silver. And I love it all.
Miao people are from one of the largest ethnic minorities in southwest China. They live across many provinces including Guizhou, Yunnan, Hunan and Sichuan. The Miao are known for their elaborate embroidery and exquisite work with silver. They have a very colourful history, much like their stunning embroidery. The Miao people actually had no written form of history up until recently. They used characters and symbols embroidered on their clothes to tell stories, legends and parts of their history. That is why their embroidery is so stunning and detailed.
For more than four hundred years it has been a tradition and custom for Miao women to decorate themselves from head to toe in silver. A complete set of this silver jewelry can weigh around 15 kg and can take more than one and a half hours for a girl to put the entire set on. The purpose of wearing all this silver is for aesthetic reasons. The jewelry is also worn as amulets to ward off evil, and as symbols of wealth.
The tradition of wearing silver has been kept alive by a great number of craftsmen scattered through the Miao villages. Most of the silver accessories are made by hands in a traditional way. A silver head-piece can take up to a couple of months to finish. In some Miao villages every male is trained to work with silver. Each piece of jewelry is an exquisite work of art and shines with the knowledge from the Miao people. The fancy Miao silver accessories include silver hat, silver horns, silver combs, silver ear-rings, neckbands, necklaces, and bracelets.
In the Miao culture it is a tradition that when a girl is born, her parents will start saving money to make and collect fancy silver ornaments that can weigh several kilograms. On the girls wedding day, she will be wearing these beautiful silver accessories. The Miao girls’ love for silver jewellery stems from their love of beauty, wealth and dignity. Miao silver in my opinion is one of the most beautiful types of silver and one with a long and fascinating history.
About the Author
After living in Asia for five years and travelling as much as possible, I have seen and done a lot of things! One of the most recent is discovering Chinese and Tibetan silver jewellery. I have fallen in love with the Chinese and Tibetan jewelry. Over the past few months I have started my own website selling my favourite jewelry pieces. The website is called Tibetan Empress, http://www.tibetanempress.com. From travelling around and going to many local markets I have found a lot of jewelry. I hand pick each piece myself from markets or from the craftsmen themselves. Here are some of my adventures…
“I’ll never curse the 77A to Aldwich again” Tallbird_lankey’s photos, China (route 77a pictures)
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Fancy 17″ Tibet Silver Natural FW White Pearl Necklace | FINDINGJEWELRY $0.99 |
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Free shipping ! Fancy Tibet silver chinese dragon amulet men’s ring 8-9# s0126 $1.00 |
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Fancy 17″ Tibet Silver Natural FW White Pearl Necklace | FINDINGJEWELRY $0.99 |
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Exquisite Fancy Tibet Silver turquoise snuff bottle incense U42906 $0.01 |
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Fancy Tibet silver Dragon phoenix cloisonne Jade teapot $0.01 |
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Fancy Jewellery Tibet silver dragons bracelet $0.01 |
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Fancy Tibet silver Tribal Jewelry turquoise flower lady’s necklace s0116 $0.01 |
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Fancy Jewellery Tibet silver dragons bracelet $0.01 |
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Fancy Tibet Silver Cuff 2 dragon Bracelet $0.01 |
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Fancy Silver GP Tibet Silver Genuine Turquoise Teardrop Pendant Necklace Aw2457 $6.50 |
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Fancy Tribal Tibet Silver Large Turquoise Cuff Bracelet $0.01 |
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Genuine Turquoise Butterfly Fancy Silver GP Tibet Silver Pendant Necklace Aw2460 $3.25 |
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Floral Fancy Silver GP Tibet Silver Genuine Turquoise Pendant Necklace Aw2469 $5.50 |
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Oval Fancy Vintage Tibet Silver Nature Turquoise Diamante Necklace Pendant B115K $3.85 |
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Vintage Tibet Silver CZ Rhinestone Amazing Fancy Floral Dangle Earrings eb2286A $0.55 |
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Free Shipping Fancy Tibet Silver Tribe Jewelry lucky Flower Cuff Bracelet $0.06 |
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Fancy tibet silver Lapis bracelet $0.99 |
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Unique Fancy tribal jewelry Tibet silver lucky Carved Flower bracelet $0.30 |
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Exquisite Fancy tribal jewelry Tibet silver lucky “Magpie” cuff bracelet $0.06 |
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Exquisite Fancy tribal jewelry Tibet silver lucky carved “Fish” cuff bracelet $0.65 |
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Fancy jewelry tibet silver lapis lazuli beads Necklace $0.58 |
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FANCY !! turquoise tibet silver bracelet Z166 $0.80 |
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Fancy Jewellery Asian white JADE beads Tibet Silver Bracelet $0.01 |
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Fancy Jewellery Tibet Silver Red Coral beads pendant Necklace $0.15 |
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Tibet Silver Butterfly Fancy Smoky Swarovski Crystal Link Bangle Bracelet B15KX $2.26 |
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Genuine Turquoise Butterfly Fancy Silver GP Tibet Silver Pendant Necklace Aw2460 $1.50 |
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Beautiful Fancy Tibetan jewelry Tibet Silver Red Coral Cuff Bracelet $0.01 |
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Fancy Tibet Silver Green Jade Dangle Earring 10mm $0.01 |
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Charming Fancy Jewellery Tibet silver Coral Earrings $0.01 |
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Fancy Jewelry Tibet Silver Jade Bracelet $0.55 |
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Fancy Swarovski Crystal Cute Fox Vintage Tibet Silver Necklace Pendant L1817A $3.25 |
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FANCY CHINESE TIBET SILVER CARVING DRAGON&PHOENIX BOX $0.01 |
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Beautiful Fancy Jewellery Tibet Silver Tiger’s Eye stone Cuff bracelet $0.01 |
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Tibet Silver Floral Carved Fancy Cocktail Ring Ax5598 $3.50 |
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Charming Fancy Jewellery Tibet Silver Tiger’s Eye Stone Cuff bracelet $0.01 |
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Apper Fancy Tibet Silver Turquoise Cocktail Ring Ax3587 $4.00 |
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Charming Fancy Jewellery Tibet Silver Tiger’s Eye Stone carved Dragon bracelet $0.01 |
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Fancy Tibet Silver Turquoise Coral Bracelet $0.90 |
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Long New Fancy Silver GP Tibet Silver Genuine Turquoise Pendant Necklace Aw2433 $2.54 |
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Round Genuine Turquoise Silver GP Tibet Silver New Fancy Pendant Necklace Aw2441 $2.25 |
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Fancy tibet silver amethyst bracelet $0.99 |
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Beautiful Fancy Tibetan jewelry Tibet Silver Turquoise&Coral Cuff Bracelet $0.01 |
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Vintage Free Ship Flower Carved Tibet Silver Fancy Cocktail Ring Ax5590 $3.50 |
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Fancy Jewellery Tibet Silver Turquoise bracelet $1.25 |
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A pair Fancy Jewellery Tibet silver Coral Earrings $0.58 |
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Fancy Tibet Silver Green Jade Dangle Earring 12mm $0.06 |
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Fancy Jewellery Tibet Miao Silver Earrings $0.50 |
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Fancy Cool men’s Tibet Silver green jade Cuff bangle Bracelet $0.01 |
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Vintage Tibet Silver Swarovski Crystal Fancy Owl Carved Dangle Earring ax6460 $2.51 |
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Rare Vintage Tibet Silver Fancy Nature 5 Red Turquoise Necklace Pendant B128K $3.25 |
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Round Genuine Turquoise Link Silver GP Tibet Silver Fancy Bangle Bracelet Aw2497 $1.88 |
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Fancy Carved Floral Tibet Silver Cocktail Ring Ax5671 $4.50 |
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Lucite Design Tibet Silver Fancy Cocktail Ring Ax5395 $3.00 |
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Vintage Tibet Silver Oval Shape Fancy Nature Turquoise Necklace Pendant B123K $3.75 |
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Tibet Silver Vintage Carved Handmade Interlink Fancy Necklace Pendant Ht203A $5.58 |
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Fancy Tibet Silver Handcrafted Beads Bracelet $0.98 |
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Fancy Tibet Silver Handcrafted bead Bracelet $0.99 |
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Fancy Tibet Silver Handcrafted Beads Bracelet $0.99 |
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Fancy Tibet Silver Handcrafted red Beads Bracelet $0.99 |
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Fancy Tibet Silver Handcrafted red Beads Bracelet $0.99 |
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Fancy Tibet Silver Handcrafted Beads Bracelet $0.99 |
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Fancy Tibet Silver Handcrafted Beads Bracelet $0.99 |
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Fancy Tibet Silver Handcrafted Beads Bracelet $0.99 |
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Fancy Tibet Silver bead Bracelet $0.99 |
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Fancy Tibet Silver Handcrafted red Beads Bracelet $0.99 |
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Fancy Tibet Silver Handcrafted red Beads Bracelet $0.99 |
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Fancy Tibet Silver Handcrafted red Beads Bracelet $0.99 |
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Fancy Tibet Silver Handcrafted blue Beads Bracelet $1.04 |
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Fancy Tibet Silver Handcrafted Beads Bracelet $0.99 |
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Fancy Tibet Silver Handcrafted Beads Bracelet $0.99 |
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Fancy Tibet Silver Handcrafted blue Beads Bracelet $0.99 |
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Fancy Jewelry Tibet Silver carved Rings $0.99 |
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Tibet Silver Tribal Jewellery Turquoise Fancy Genuine Earring $0.95 |
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Fancy Chinese jewelry Tibet silver Carving lucky fish cuff Bracelets $0.01 |
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Fancy Tibet silver Dragon phoenix cloisonne Jade teapot #041142 $0.85 |
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Classic Fancy Tribe jewelry tibet silver inlay green jade man’s bracelet bangle $11.89 |
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120pcs Tibet Silver Fancy Heart Pendants Charms 21x8mm $7.99 |
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Fancy Tibet Silver Buddha Amulet Cuff Tribal Bracelet $0.01 |
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Rare Fancy Tibet Silver Turquoise Cuff Bracelet bangle $13.99 |
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FANCY!!! tibet silver tiger’s-eye stone cuff bracelet $0.45 |
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Fancy jewelry Tibet silver inlay Red Coral cuff style men’s tribe open Bracelet $11.99 |
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Fancy !! Tibet silver red cuff bracelet $0.99 |
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Fancy Tibet silver Dragon phoenix cloisonne Jade teapot $0.01 |
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Fancy Silver GP Tibet Silver Genuine Turquoise Teardrop Pendant Necklace Aw2457 $1.25 |
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Floral Fancy Silver GP Tibet Silver Genuine Turquoise Pendant Necklace Aw2469 $4.30 |
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FANCY !! turquoise tibet silver bracelet Z166 $0.45 |
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Fancy Jewellery Tibet Silver Shell Pearl Bracelet $1.10 |
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Fancy !! Tibet Silver pink jade ring size: 8-11 $0.45 |
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Fancy Tribal Jewelry Tibet Silver opal Cuff Bracelets $0.85 |
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Tibet Silver Vintage Charm Ruby Fancy Cluster Cocktail Size 6.5 Ring ij333317 $4.00 |
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Tibet Silver Vintage Charm Ruby Fancy Cluster Cocktail Size 8 Ring ij333318 $4.00 |
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Vintage Tibet Silver CZ Rhinestone Amazing Fancy Floral Dangle Earrings eb2286A $0.50 |
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Fancy Charm Ruby Tibet Silver Cluster Vintage Cocktail Size 6.5 Ring ij333817 $4.00 |
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Fancy Charm Ruby Tibet Silver Cluster Vintage Cocktail Size 8 Ring ij333818 $4.00 |
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Charming A pair Fancy Jewellery Tibet Silver turquoise Earring –Free Shipping! $1.80 |
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Oval Fancy Vintage Tibet Silver Nature Turquoise Diamante Necklace Pendant B115K $4.10 |
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Fancy jewelry tibet silver lapis lazuli beads Necklace $0.58 |
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Fancy Jewellery Tibet Silver Turquoise beads fish pendant Necklace $0.58 |
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Fancy Oval Silver GP Tibet Silver Genuine Turquoise Pendant Necklace Aw2413 $7.01 |
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Fancy Diamante Free Ship Vintage Tibet Silver Size 5.5 Cocktail Ring Ij304916 $3.20 |
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Tibet Tibet $9.99 Tibet Tibet |
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Sterling Silver Fancy Necklace $109.99 Sterling Silver Fancy Necklace crafted in 925 Sterling Silver |
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Sterling Silver Fancy Bracelet $199.99 Sterling Silver Fancy Bracelet crafted in 925 Sterling Silver |
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Sterling Silver Fancy Ring $99.99 Sterling Silver Fancy Ring crafted in 925 Sterling Silver |
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Sterling Silver Fancy Earrings $79.99 Sterling Silver Fancy Earrings crafted in 925 Sterling Silver |