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Cambodian goldsmith turns bullet casings into jewellery to promote world peace

Thoeun Chantha selects bullet shells to make jewellery from. (Reuters: Cindy Liu)

Every week, Cambodian goldsmith Thoeun Chantha turns about five kilograms of brass casings of AK-47 and M-16 bullets into jewellery.

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."

Thoeun Chantha posing with some of his pieces at the Angkor Bullet Jewelry workshop in Phnom Penh. (Reuters: Cindy Liu)

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 mould 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 $US5 ($7.49) to $US20 a piece at markets popular with tourists.

A selection of rings made from bullet casings by Thoeun Chantha. (Reuters: Cindy Liu)

Reuters

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