Karen Hill Tribe Silver of Thailand

CocoVee is proud of our Beach Silver Collection, made using Karen Hill Tribe Silver and precious freshwater pearls, designed all by Bobbi Whitmore – the Ms.CocoVee.

Karen Hill Tribe Silver is made by the Karen Hill Tribes of Thailand, who live in villages tucked away on remote mountainsides. Besides farming various crops, the Karen people handcraft finely woven garments and silver pieces that are 95-99% pure silver. Since they use a higher-content silver (than sterling – 92.5%) - the pieces are “softer” and easier to shape into intricate designs – often nature-themed. Oxidation (that leaves black coloring in the grooves), hammer marks, and slight design variations give Karen Hill Tribe Silver a distinct look; no two designs are exactly alike.

 The lovely Miss Jean (above) models our long, chocolate-brown Baroque Pearl necklace with a Silver Shell - worn off-center - over an Indian tunic. Here's another way to wear the same design - with skinny jeans, a long-sleeved top, and brightly-colored accessories...

  

Since Bobbi chose silver seashell and flower pieces to accent different types of pearls, the Beach Silver Collection has an earthy, one of a kind feel – which is fitting, because each piece is unique – just like a seashell or a flower that you would find in it's natural element.  

 This is a multi-strand, knotted pearl necklace with a gorgeous flower center; $195. Many of the pieces from the Collection have already been claimed by some lucky ladies, but we still have a handful of gorgeous, one of a kind designs for you to choose from. 

 

a pastel blend of pearls with an eye-catching silver-wired charm, $75

If you are interested in CocoVee's Beach Silver Collection, made with Karen Hill Tribe Silver, simply visit us - 10 Stone Street, Cocoa Village - or call our shop, at 321-632-5444. 

a delicate crystal bead and silver shell design, $85

What is a Shell Pearl?

CocoVee was recently accused of selling fake pearls - oh my! But we would never dare to do such a thing, and we take pride in the fact that all of our pearls are from the freshwater pearl markets of China.

See! Here's Miss Roberta shopping the pearl markets of China - looks like FUN!

The pearl necklace in question was one made of large, perfectly rounded and brightly colored pearls - and anyone who knows their pearls, knows that this necklace was made from shell pearls - which are of course, real pearls! 

Shell pearls are made from the oyster shell that houses the pearl - instead of being produced within the shell itself. The shell pearl material is cut, shaped, dyed, and strung - in order to make perfectly rounded or very large pearl necklaces at an affordable price. We have shell pearls worked into some of our pieces, seen below, as well as a wide variety of other freshwater pearls!

Left to right: green and dark gray shell pearls, "silver" shell pearls, and brown (somewhat teardrop-shaped) shell pearls on a lariat necklace.

So - what is a shell pearl? 

I bet Diane Keaton knows..

It's a pearl made from the shells that produce pearls - 

and yes, it is still a real pearl! 

There's our pearl lesson of the hour, ladies - thanks for living and learning with us!