From war to peace: Cambodian goldsmith turns bullet casings into jewelry

By Reuters   March 29, 2023 | 07:39 pm PT
From war to peace: Cambodian goldsmith turns bullet casings into jewelry
Jewelries made from bullet casings by the workshop owned and run by Cambodian goldsmith Thoeun Chantha are on display in Cambodia. Photo courtesy of Thoeun Chantha's Facebook page
Every week, Cambodian goldsmith Thoeun Chantha turns about five kg of brass casings of AK-47 and M-16 bullets into jewelry.

For more than two decades, the 42-year-old, whose father was killed during Cambodia's years of war, has run a workshop to turn symbols of violence into what he calls wearable pieces of art.

"I'm a victim of the war as a Cambodian who lost family members in it and now the world is at war too," he said.

"I make this to show that the world doesn't want war ... we all want peace."

The bullets are collected from shooting ranges and military training grounds around the capital, Phnom Penh.

Those deemed safe are melted and poured into a cylindrical mold before being cooled in a bucket of water.

The metal is then shaped by hand into intricate bracelets, necklaces, rings and earrings to be sold for $5 to $20 a piece at markets popular with tourists.

 
 
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