Rising gold prices on international and domestic markets are prompting more Moroccans to turn to silver jewelry, a shift that is benefiting artisans in Tiznit, a city renowned for its centuries-old silversmithing tradition
The trend is on full display at the Silver Exhibition, one of the highlights of the 14th Timizart Festival, where steady streams of Moroccan and international visitors browse handcrafted jewelry before many leave with silver pieces instead of gold.
Soumia Akhbou, a graduate of the Academy of Traditional Arts at the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca and an exhibitor at the event, said she has noticed the shift in consumer behavior.
“Silver jewelry is attracting more consumers today because gold has become unaffordable for a large share of families,” she said. “Purchasing power is under pressure, and the savings households could once rely on in times of need are no longer the same. Silver has therefore become a logical alternative.”
According to Akhbou, the trend is also benefiting Tiznit itself.
“The Timizart Festival attracts large numbers of Moroccan and international visitors and showcases the city’s identity and its heritage in silver craftsmanship,” she said. “That visibility is directly reflected in higher sales. We have seen a real increase in purchases of silver jewelry at the expense of gold.”
Among the visitors was Badr Eddine El Bakri, who traveled from Zagora to buy locally made jewelry.
“I came to Tiznit to purchase jewelry made by the city’s artisans, whose expertise is widely recognized,” he said. “Prices here remain attractive compared with other regions. Today, silver has become a real alternative to gold, which is now beyond the reach of many Moroccan families.”
Beyond its commercial dimension, the exhibition also aims to support artisans’ professional development.
According to Abdelhak Arkhaoui, president of the Timizart Association, several initiatives are being implemented to support the sector.
“Together with our partners, we are working to strengthen artisans’ skills and familiarize them with new silver manufacturing techniques,” he said.
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Arkhaoui added that the event encourages exchanges between professionals from different regions of Morocco as well as several European and African countries.
“The exhibition gives artisans the opportunity to share their experience and expertise in order to improve the quality of their creations,” he said.
“We are gradually introducing mechanization in certain stages of production to help artisans meet customer expectations while preserving the quality and craftsmanship of their work,” Arkhaoui added. “Given fluctuations in the price of raw materials, the sector must continually adapt to meet market challenges.”
