How Bali Silver is Made

Bali Silver is a treasured art form, crafted by hand from sterling silver on the island of Bali. These gorgeous jewelry findings add beauty to any jewelry creation and are a favorite of makers everywhere. What many jewelry makers do not know, however, is the intricate process through which it is made.

Melting and Mixing – The process begins by melting silver and copper to form sterling silver. The silversmith will measure and weigh the metal by hand, and some are skilled enough to estimate the amounts they will need.

Molding and Rolling – The next step is to pour the molten silver into tiny wooden molds. Once cooled, the silversmith feeds the silver through a hand-cranked rolling mill to create the right thickness.

Cutting and Soldering – Now it’s time for the sheets of silver to be formed into beads, bezels, and other jewelry findings. The sheets are cut and hammered into a block, and then sanded down to form the right shape. Then the two halves of the beads are soldered together.

Making Wire & Granules – The hallmark of Bali Silver are the intricate wirework designs. Silver wire is formed by pulling the silver through holes in a tungsten carbide template to achieve the right size. Granules are made by cutting tiny pieces from the wire which are then heated and formed into a ball.

Application and Oxidization – Using a natural glue, the silversmith applies the wire and granules to the bead to create a design. Then, they brush a solution of water, silver, and copper over the entire bead. The silversmith then cleans the bead and dips it into an oxidizing solution which creates a dark background with a polished raised design.  

You can find Bali Silver and other wholesale sterling silver jewelry supplies today at MultiCreationsNJ.com.