Bells are made in the same way as bowls from bronze or brass. The difference in workmanship is that Tibetan bells are cast in molds, while genuine Tibetan bowls are made by hammering the alloy.
Tibetan bells are used as part of daily meditation, as an accelerator, because they draw attention to the present moment. The bells are used at the beginning and at the end of each meditation session to initiate a certain ritual or ceremony. Similar to tingsha - cymbals, they are used to clear the space of negative emotions and thoughts and create an atmosphere of purity for deeper meditation.
The Tibetan bell can also serve as an alternative to focus instead of breath awareness to keep the mind focused. The complement to the bell is the Dorje or Vajra, which represents indestructibility and creativity - the male principle, while the bell is a symbol of emptiness and wisdom - the female principle. They can often be seen together in the hands of buddhist monks, with the bell held in the left hand and the dorje in the right. The movements are precisely given. Crossing the hands means enlightenment - the union of two elements. Dorje is always delivered together with the bell.
Bells can also be played with a mallet in leather, struck or circled around the edge, similar to bowls. All tibetan bells in offer contain a sound sample, that will make your choice easier.