How can they make such a beautiful silver bracelet?

Our Miao silver bracelets and bangles are completely made by hand. The unique techniques the Miao use to craft silver bracelets have been passed down for hundreds of years. Different types of bracelets require different skills. However, melting silver is the first and most indispensable step for creating any Miao silver jewelry.

Traditionally silver is melted in a stove made of charcoal. But today more and more Miao silversmiths melt silver with an electric tool that can bring the silver to temperatures over 1,000 degrees Celsius.

The scalding hot silver liquid is then poured into an iron groove where it is hardened into a solid silver bar. Forceps are used to take the bar out of the groove and it’s hammered into the required shape. Some silver bracelets are crafted with hair-like silver threads, while others need wider and heavier pieces to make the silver band.

Melting silver

Twisting fine silver threads into an ideal shape

Tiny silver threads twisted into intricate patterns are widely used when crafting Miao silver bracelets. They can form flowers, animals, and any number of other designs.

Silver threads are made by using a steel board with 60 round holes in it. The steel board is put onto a short, round wooden post. Stepping onto the board, the silversmith uses a pair of pliers to pull silver through the holes. Almost immediately, an ideal silver thread is shaped.

Using only pliers and scissors, the Miao silversmith can twist these almost hair-thin threads into flowers, animals, and more. This skill requires many years of practice and can only be done by hand.

Fix the silver band onto the surface of the rosin board

Some Miao silver bracelets feature bands with elaborate engravings. The band is first fixed onto a rosin board to hold it steady.

To do this, the silversmith heats the black rosin board to soften its surface. The silver band is then easily placed in the near-molten rosin. When the rosin cools down and hardens, the silver band is stuck in the surface.

He’ll now carefully draw designs with a pencil, and then engrave it with sharp steel sticks. The steel sticks are about 10 cm long and have flat, round, or pointed tops. A light hammer, made of the horn of a water buffalo, is used to strike the sticks and make the design. After this process, beautiful pictures will appear on the surface. It takes year of practice and a very steady hand to engrave such small details.

Engraving the design on the silver band

When he’s done, it’s time to take the silver band out of the rosin board and heat the band to make it soft. Shaping the band is done with the help of a long wooden stick. A simple silver bracelet with a carved band takes almost a whole working day to make.

A finished Miao silver bracelet

Sometimes additional silver pieces are made and soldered onto the band of the bracelet.

When everything is done, the silver bracelets will be put into phosphoric acid to remove excess material and make it brighter and whiter.

Some silver bracelets need a few weeks of hard work, especially when carving and twisting tiny silver threads. Excellent skill and great patience are both required to be a Miao silversmith.