Sami jewellery, between tradition and modernity

Lapland is a state in Northern Europe, spanning four countries, namely from west to east: Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia. In these lands where cold and magnificent nature reign, the Sami people have lived for thousands of years.

A people who came from the cold

The Sámi (or Saami, or Saami) have inhabited the Scandinavian lands for tens of thousands of years. This ancestral people moved to the rhythm of the transhumance of the herds of reindeer that they raised for their meat, their skin and their antlers. Today the Sami have abandoned this nomadic lifestyle, although several thousand of them still practice reindeer herding.

Sami craftsmanship is highly developed. Women made warm clothes and fur-lined shoes for themselves and their husbands who went hunting or fishing. Cutlery also occupies an important place in Sami craftsmanship, as does the art of jewellery.

The ornaments made by the Sami are often linked to a shamanic conception of the universe and weave close links with omnipresent nature. Each of the motifs has significant meaning in relation to Sámi beliefs.

The main materials used by Lapps to create traditional jewelry are leather made from reindeer skin, silver and tin wire, beads, horn, wood and fabric.

An updated profession

It was the Swedish designer Hanna Wallmark who updated the art of the Sami people. He created Sami bracelets that were a resounding and immediate success. Fine, delicate and elegant, they could not help but attract approval from both men and women.

Bracelets of this type can now be found in many jewelery shops and under various brands, without ever neglecting the trend of ethnic jewellery. However, for an original and authentic jewel, we will prefer handmade and traditional materials.

• To discover the artisan traditions of jewelry, go to www.bijouifique.com.

Chic ethnic bracelets

The Lappish bracelet can now be seen on all wrists. It consists of a reindeer leather cuff, onto which silver and tin threads are woven into various patterns. The closure is made of wood or reindeer horn.

In revisited and chic versions, the Lappish bracelet incorporates colored pearls or jewel stones. As a result, we now find Sami bracelets of all types and at all prices. They can therefore be combined with many styles. Furthermore, both men and women have adopted this cold weather bracelet.

How to choose and wear the Sami bracelet?

To choose a Sámi bracelet it is advisable to favor artisans who work according to Sámi traditions. This jewel, in fact, carries within it a part of the soul of this ancestral people, and it is a question of respecting it. The workmanship of the leather, the weaving of the silver braid, the creation of the clasp… are all characteristics to take into consideration when choosing Lappish jewellery.

In most online craft stores offering handmade Sami bracelets, different widths are offered. Ideally, it is recommended to measure the circumference of your wrist and add a centimeter. The width of the cuff is different: wider bracelets will be worn more by men. Women, for their part, are used to wearing and layering several thin bracelets on their wrist. It’s just a matter of finding the right balance.