Cambodia's military jewellery turns bullets into war art

On March 29, 2023, jewelry made from bullet shells is displayed at Angkor bullet jewelry in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Cambodian goldsmith Thoeun Chantha turns about five kg of brass casings of AK 47 and M-16 bullets into jewelry every week.

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

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

I'm making 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 mould before being cooled in a bucket of water.

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