Tibetan Silver - What is it?

[Russ Nobbs]

We've had questions about "Tibetan Silver" at shows and by e-mail. I thought this might be a good place to post our take on the goods currently marketed under this name.

There are at least 2 kinds of beads and jewelry sold as "Tibetan Silver."

Reproduction beads and jewelry in Tibetan styles are produced in India and Nepal, often by Tibetan refugees. These are usually fabricated goods in base metal, often with an antique silver finish. These often are set with  imitation amber, imitation turquoise and glass stones. These items rarely contain any real silver. (Antique pieces might be silver.)

Base metal castings, charms, beads and jewelry components made currently in China are marketed as "Tibetan Silver" by Chinese websites and sellers in the US. These soft metal items often are cast from a lead based alloy and can be hazardous to the health particularly in small children. In this case "Tibetan Silver"  is a misleading marketing name. The "Tibetan Silver" items contain NO silver but are sold  by vendors who imply the metal is silver or that it comes from Tibet.

The latter type of castings seem to be targeting the name "Tibetan Silver" as a marketing brand that is sure to confuse many buyers.

Tierracast, the well respected maker of lead free pewter from California has more info about this issue at Tibetan Silver

Some of the lead free pewter castings carried at Rings & Things are from Tierracast.

[cruzxsteel]

It's probably made out of the same stuff as other silver is made from, but it's from Tibet! 50% silver, 50% alloy for sturdiness and longevity tibetan beads

[Russ Nobbs]

I don't think that is correct, cruzxsteel .
Please check your products at Panda Hall.
Most of the products you sell at http://www.pandahall.com/beads/wholesale-tibetan-style-beads-antique-silver/0-182-1.html are priced too low to contain ANY silver content.

I know casters in YiWu will cast in zinc or in lead/tin alloy at your request. Last time I checked on stuff sold in the USA as Tibetan Style castings it contained lead Today I see your site says "Lead Free - PandaHall has a special lab and apparatus to check the content of Lead in our products. All the products verified with the information "Lead Free" have absolutely passed the lead content test by our apparatus. We'll attach the "Lead Free Guarantee Certificate" for every Lead-free item."

Please tell us what metals are currently in your alloy. Your "lab and apparatus" can give you exact details.