Last week I was knee-deep in cover letter writing, and had to come up for air. Usually a quick walk around the block is enough to get me restarted, but this particular day I had a strong craving for beauty. I had to find something beautiful to look at, and recharge my spirit. So I popped into my neighborhood jewelry store, Love & Luxe. I was pleased to discover a new line that she carries, handmade silver jewelry from the Tuaregs of the Sahara desert. I’m usually not even into “tribal” jewelry (unless it’s something I’ve purchased while traveling), and after visiting Love & Luxe I realized why: it’s often inauthentic. Most “tribal-inspired” pieces mix shapes, metals, and gemstones that are indigenous to different cultures. So cool as they might be, they never feel quite like what I’ve seen in my travels.
Tuareg jewelry, however, is legit. Elhadji Mohamed Koumama is the patriarch of a silversmith family that makes jewelry according to a 1000 year tradition. Watch this video which talks about a bit of the family history, and how the pieces are made:
Tuareg Jeweler of the Desert from Christian Peacock on Vimeo.
Prices for pieces in the collection start as low as $25 for a thin bangle! If you’re not lucky enough to live in San Francisco and can’t swing by Love & Luxe to check out the Tuareg pieces, check out Shopbop’s “Globetrotting Glamour” collection. Not quite the same, but there are a few good pieces in there. You may also be able to find this jewelry in a museum gift shop. Or better yet, pay a visit to your local jewelry store. You never know what gems you might find!
What's your opinion?