Gallery

A digital archive showcasing the extensive collection of jewellery and adornment images shared on the former Ethnic Jewels Ning site over the years. These images have significantly enriched discussions on cultural adornment and its global dispersion.

The beginning of beautiful jewels!

Posted by Ethnic Embellishments on September 19, 2012 at 5:04pm

Here is a silver foundry in Southern Morocco. Artisans can take their silver there and have it alloyed and made into what they need- wire, sheet silver. It's wonderful to watch the process of raw silver being melted, cooled, and then run through large, hand-cranked machines over and over to reach the desired consistency. There are fancy dies that one can run wire through to get beaded, lined, and zig-zagged decorations as well.

Comments

Eva Baby September 19, 2012 at 7:30pm

Nice photo and information, love to see the beginning and process of jewellery making !
Harald September 19, 2012 at 9:50pm

How interesting this is, Hillary! Nice photo. Over in the US, when I was living there, we were not allowed to work by melting metal without wearing a big leather apron and gloves. But in other countries they do not have laws for this kind of work. It is wonderful work though! You were lucky to be able to watch this process!