Ethical Silver Jewellery

Great Incan City of Chuoquiaro

“Tears of the Moon” reflects a mystical historic legacy left by the Inca civilization.  The ancient Incas worshipped the Gods of Nature and silver symbolised the female Moon.   The Moon Goddess (also known as Mother Moon) was regarded as one of the most important goddesses and the protector of women and marriage. She was the wife of Inti, the sun, the most important of the Inca Gods.

Legends tell stories of the Moon Goddess crying tears of silver i.e. Tears of the Moon, which fell from the heavens into the Peruvian ground.  Peruvian silver and gold were abundant but deemed to be sacred and only took on value when crafted into decorative items to adorn the temples and into jewellery for the king and great Inca nobles.

Following the collapse of the Inca Empire in the 16^th century, Spanish conquistadores discovered and developed silver mines in Peru which transformed South and Latin America into one of the largest silver producing regions in the world. It has been reported that from 1600-1800 Peru’s annual silver production was 3 million troy ounces and together with Bolivia and Mexico accounted for 85% of the worlds silver production.

In the mid 19^th century a large deposit of silver was found in Nevada making the US the largest silver producer. However, in the 20^th century Mexico and South America, particularly Peru became the largest producers.  In 2009 Peru accounted for just over 17% of the world’s silver production making it the largest silver producer.