DESCRIPTION OF THE JEWELLERY
湛ZHAN is the exceptional collection of our jewellery with the most exquisite and high-qualified work. All the pieces are handmade by experienced artisans with unique skills, only a few in the region even whole China are capable to do it. This silver earring is handmade by the artisan Yang. This pair of earrings consists of more than 50 engraved and carved silver pieces of flowers, calabash, butterflies, maples, flowery bells and decorated pyramid. This style is inspired by the splendid and sparkling traditional Miao ornaments that always impress people at first glance by its vivid, luxurious and elegant appearance, especially when women dance with it. Each silver slice is fairly delicate and thin, which makes the earrings light and easy to wear without making much noise.
Technique: Highly skillful engraving, carving and welding techniques are used. The sculpture of each piece is design and made by artisan and through engraving, patterns show up on the silver slice before it is carved with various details. Since the silver wires and slices are thin and fragile (S999 silver), the welding work of these earrings is very difficult and time consuming. Artisan needs to use a thin wire to weld each part. Miao silvermaking has been threatened to disappear and was inscribed in National Intangible Cultural Heritage List.
Material: Fine silver - 16g.
*Fine silver has a millesimal fineness of 999. Also called pure silver, it is less and less used in jewellery making due to its soft feature that increases the difficulty in the making process. However, to respect the tradition in the region, artisans insist to use fine silver to create high-qualified pieces with exquisite technique.
Size: 8cm*4cm
Artisan: Yang started to learn silversmithing from his dad when he was 8 years old. Now he is running a family workshop with his wife in Qiandongnan, Guizhou. Not like his dad who focuses on making silver jewellery with traditional style, Yang always wants to create contemporary pieces with traditional skills and knowledge. The creativity and ingenuity that younger generation of silversmith bring Miao silvermaking into a new era.
ABOUT CUNZU
At CUNZU, every piece begins with a story of place.
Founded in Paris, CUNZU begins with Hmong silver—a living craft where every thread of silver carries the spirit of the mountains, the memory of home, and generations of artistry. For the Hmong people, jewelry is more than adornment; it is a legacy shaped by patience, devotion, and the human hand.
Rooted in this tradition, CUNZU works hand in hand with master artisans to preserve heritage craftsmanship while reimagining it through a contemporary design language. Every piece is meticulously handmade, honoring time-honored techniques and the quiet beauty of slow fashion.
Our journey starts with Hmong silver and extends to exceptional crafts from around the world, connecting artisan communities through thoughtful design and enduring partnerships. We believe authentic luxury is created by the hands that make it. By celebrating handmade craftsmanship and timeless fashion jewelry, we hope these remarkable traditions continue to be worn, cherished, and passed from one generation to the next.
CARE INSTRUCTIONS
All silver jewellery will age and tarnish naturally. Store your pieces individually in small zip-lock plastic bags after having removed as much air as possible. To clean silver jewelry with pearls, use a clean, soft cloth or a sponge to apply a small amount of the silver cleansing cream to the silver item and to avoid the pearl. Rinse the silver item thoroughly with water and pat the silver item dry with a clean, soft cloth. We also provide jewellery care services, please contact us if it’s needed.
ABOUT THE PACKAGING
We work with traditional paper making artisans from the Shiqiao ethnic communities in Guizhou (China) to create the wrapped cover of our jewellery boxes. All papers are handmade with natural material and are chemical free. We honour the sustainable way that Shiqiao people work and have been living with nature for the last millennium. At the same time, we aspire to raise the awareness of packaging waste and encourage the recycled use of each of our paper cover.