PURE STERLING SILVER
A precious material, rare expertise
Karen artisans have been perpetuating ancestral know-how, passed down within their community for generations.
Their specialty? Working with 99.9% pure silver, a precious metal, crafted entirely by hand.
This type of manufacturing – without molding or machinery – is rare in the world of jewelry today.
At Itsara, we have chosen to support this tradition, as much for the beauty of this craftsmanship as for the quality of the pieces.
Karen jewelry is made from strips or threads of pure silver, cut, hammered, twisted, braided, then soldered by hand.
Each detail testifies to ancient mastery and a strong connection to the material.
No molding, no production line: each piece of jewelry is the result of a unique gesture
What the terms really mean
All Itsara jewelry is made of solid silver – meaning pure silver, with no plating or coating.
In France, the term solid silver refers to any metal containing at least 80% pure silver.
Our jewelry significantly exceeds this threshold:
- Pure silver (999): used by Karen artisans, contains 99.9% silver. It gives each piece a unique brilliance and minimizes allergy risks.
- 925 silver (or sterling silver): an alloy composed of 92.5% pure silver, strengthened by 7.5% copper (used for certain earring hooks).
👉 In both cases, this is real solid silver, durable and of great value.
A guarantee of traceability
All our jewelry* bears our maker's mark, registered with French Customs (Nice office).
This official hallmark identifies Itsara as a declared importer of precious metals, guaranteeing the authenticity and quality of the silver.
.
🔍 It is oval-shaped, engraved with a small bee surrounded by the initials L and P (for Léonel de Parseval), and measures approximately 2 mm wide.
📐 On pieces weighing over 30 g, you will also find the Minerva head hallmark, applied by the Customs administration.
* Some very thin, delicate pieces are not hallmarked to avoid damage.
Pure silver is more malleable than 925 silver, allowing Karen artisans to create jewelry of great flexibility while maintaining remarkable solidity. Thanks to millennia-old craftsmanship, each piece is designed with carefully chosen thickness or structuring shapes, combining comfort and durability.
Some pieces, such as the long earring posts (e.g., the Hmong models), require special care when handling. It is therefore recommended to treat them with delicacy, but without fear: these jewels are made to last and withstand the test of time.
Silver, whether pure or 925, evolves over time, which is also what makes it alive.
Good news: the more you wear your Itsara jewelry, the more it shines! So don't hesitate to wear it every day.
Pure silver can naturally oxidize over time, taking on a slightly darker hue. This patina is natural and can be appreciated for its authentic look. However, if you want to restore your jewelry's original shine, don't worry: it's made of pure, solid silver, and therefore perfectly cleanable.
Pure silver, handcrafted, retains the marks of the artisan's touch. Each Itsara jewel is born in the hands of an artisan.
What you wear is not a standardized product, but an object crafted with care, patience, and humanity.
.
Because they are handmade, our jewels sometimes show subtle irregularities, micro-variations. These are not flaws, but rather signs of authentic craftsmanship.
It is these details that make an Itsara jewel unlike any other.
A question?
We are listening to you and will be happy to tell you more :-)
