Silver making: Travelling down memory lane

Pingtan Blue | Updated:2019-02-15

"It is very crucial to have the right temperature for heating. If the temperature is not high enough, the silver would not braze; but if it is too hot then it would break easily". After heating the silver properly, Xiao starts hammering the silver carefully to make both ends of the silver thinner for moulding.

After fixing it in a timber pile, Xiao confirmed the size of the bracelet. He cut down a part of the silver strand, heated it and then welded the bell and the strand together. The whole process was quick and fluent. It only took 40 minutes to make a traditional silver bracelet and aound 3 hours for an antique necklace.

"It takes longer time to make traditional jewelries of gold or silver. Nowadays, I make less traditional jewelries since many customers have no patience to wait. That’s why these jewelries are becoming unpopular. " Xiao sighed. Making a complicated gold and silver handiwork needs at least ten procedures including material selection, smelting, welding, polishing, pattern carving and so on. The most difficult process is to take shape which affects the overall appearance. Next is pattern carving. You need to have a good sense for art and design.

Editor in Charge:Lin Ting