Silver from Kutch, stamped the slow way

Kutchi Chandi started in 1987 as a repair bench behind the Bhuj vegetable market. Hirji Soni re-strung payal, re-set mirrors in jhumkas and re-shaped hasli for Rabari, Ahir and Meghwal families from the villages around the Rann, and in doing it he learned - and bought - the steel punches behind every motif they wore.

We make in two metals and we always say which. 925 sterling is 92.5% pure silver, stamped 925 on the post, clasp or band, and comes with a purity card; it is what we use for anything that touches a piercing or stays on your body all day. Oxidised German silver is a copper, nickel and zinc alloy with no silver in it at all - we use it for big statement pieces that would cost five times as much in sterling, label it plainly, and keep it off nose pins and toe rings.

Every motif is struck by hand, then the piece is oxidised in a sulphur bath and rubbed back with wood ash so the raised stamps shine and the recesses stay black. That contrast is the look, and it is why we print care notes on every card: keep it dry, keep it in its potli, and polish only the highs.