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.
