Large gold earrings, called kwottenai, are worn by married Fulani women in Mali. They are handed down from mother to daughter or by purchase when a husband makes a gift to his wife. Kwottenai can become very large, representing the accumulated wealth of several generations. They are formed from gold bars that are beaten into thin blades, which are then formed into crescent shape. Often the blades are incised with figures, flowers or cattle. The mercantile value of these earrings is calculated by the weight of the gold, but the artistry of the goldsmith contributes greatly to the prestige of the owner.