Silver Ring Workshop in Bali
unique Bali souvenir + fun activity
I’m most definitely a silver ring collector… I love to adorn my fingers with memories from around the world. I hate (love) to be that girl that says “oh thanks, I got it in…Bali“. I’M SORRY, I KNOW, THAT’S SO ANNOYING, but I can’t help myself – rings are just the PERFECT souvenir for any budget backpacker or long-term traveller. They weigh almost nothing, they can be packed truly anywhere (if you’re not already wearing them), they can’t ever cost thaaat much, and they’re a constant reminder of all your holidays and travels that can be worn with every outfit.
This is why doing a silver ring workshop in Bali is one of the best and most unique activities where you also get a personalized souvenir that you can wear forever!
Here is what to expect at one of Bali’s Unique Activity and Souvenir – Silver Ring Workshop
This post is not sponsored – I paid for this silver workshop myself. All opinions reflect my honest experience. Please note, this site does participates in affiliate advertising programs. At no extra cost to you, I earn a small commission on bookings and purchases made through partner links which allow me to maintain this website and provide readers with up to date guides and stories. This may inform how and where links are displayed but I assure you, all the companies I recommend are ones I personally use and trust because they actually make my travels better. Please reach out if you have any questions.
Where to do the silver ring workshop?
Historically different villages in Bali specialize in different crafts and handiwork. In Blahbatuh you will find impressive bamboo furniture, in Batubulan you will find the expert stone carvers, Ubud is known for the talented painters, and the village of Celuk is where the silver (and gold) jewellers work.
Fortunately today you do not have to venture all the way to Celuk. There are silver ring making workshops all over Bali. I did my workshop from Ubud at the Ubud Monkey Forest Silver Class and I am delighted with the quality of the experience I had with them!
I suspect that most silver workshops are pretty similar in cost and experience but if you are looking for a reputable class I would certainly recommend the Ubud Monkey Forest Silver Class. It is centrally located in one of the most popular areas of Bali and is an affordable activity.
The workshop at the Ubud Moneky Forest Silver Class cost $36 CAD through Viator or you can book directly with them on whatsapp. I made sure to book through Viator so that I had flexibility to change my plans if I wanted – they have free cancellation for up to 24 before.
book your spot for the silver ring workshop today
The Silver Ring Workshop Process
The process of making the ring was hands on, but was not challenging – I think most parts of it would be suitable for kids 10 and up. Maybe just keep a closer eye with the flame thrower. You go through each step with the support and guidance of an experienced silversmith.
All the tools for the workshop, including the silver, are provided.
Step 1 – Picking your ring design
There are a few boxes with example rings for you to choose your desired design from. There are plenty of options to inspire you!
If you choose a style that is flat on the inside you can hammer an inscription (like your initials or BALI), and similar on the outside if it flat. As well as a hammered inscription you could draw something that the silversmiths can help carve into the topside. There was someone working on a ring while I was there who had previously made a ring with the journey of The Little Prince, including the snake that ate the elephant. Incredibly unique and impressive!
If the design you select is a twisted style where the silver is shaped into a flower or another fun shape the silversmith will likely have to be a bit more hands on in the process to pull and shape the metal into this shape.
With regards to the design, the thing I don’t know is if you come in with a specific vision and you can’t find a similar style in the box whether or not you can make it completely custom… I bet if you come with a sketch of the vision or a photo of an example online, their skilled silversmiths could work with you to bring it to life (within reason).
Step 2 – Melting the Silver
The Ubud Monkey Forest Silver Class comes with a generous 7 grams of silver included in the workshop price, but I’ve seen others listed with 5 grams.
You will recieve your silver in a little dish ready to start melting down. With a blow torch that is powered by your foot pumping a pedal you will melt the silver pieces down until it is molten. Once it is one liquid the silversmith will pick it up and pour it into a mould to turn it into a little rectangle.
Step 3 – Hammer the silver rectangle
To get your freshly made silver rectangle ready for the ‘pasta machine’ you will need to make the sides more uniform and flat. Take a hammer to each side and get any frustration out.
Step 4 – Crank the pasta machine
Okay, I know it is not actually a pasta machine but as if I know what the technical name of the press! The next step in the process is having you will turn a crank to run the silver rectangle through this machine. The press gently squeezes with each pass through, making it thinner and longer and more consistent in shape. This is where the chunkiness of your ring is determined, so if you leave the machine and it is thicker than you wanted be sure to say something at this step because that is your moment.
If you made a ring with a flat inside and you want to hammer an inscription, this is your moment, before the ring takes the circular shape.
Step 5 – Size it to your finger + make it a perfect circle
I have don’t have dainty little fingers, and the design I chose for my ring was chunkyyy so I was slightly worried that the 7 grams of silver might not be enough – clearly I have ZERO concept of that 7g is because I had plenty of excess. I can pretty confidently say that you won’t run out of silver even if you are making a big size and chunky style.
Once it is shaped to the correct size and you’ve tried it on, the silversmith will cut off the extra silver.
I have a ring that I knew fit comfortably on all the fingers I wanted to wear this ring so I brought that with me to match the size. If you don’t have an example ring, don’t worry because they have the sizers to try on for fit.
Once you’re sure that your ring is the size you want it is time to seal the gab and make it one solid, enclosed ring. With a blow torch again you and your silversmith will gently heat the ring up (but not melt it) and then use a thin, easily melted, piece of silver to solder it into one piece.
Step 6 – Work on the design
Once you have a cooled ring it is time to work on the design. Whether you are hammering it into shape, engraving unique patterns, or shaving down the edges, this is where your unique ring really starts to take shape.
Your silversmith will help you if you need a steady hand or are artistically disinclined like myself…
Step 7 – Polish your perfect silver ring
Once you are all done with the creation of your personalized ring it’s time for the final step of polishing. Your silversmith will take you over to the polishing wheel to make sure all sides of your ring are smoothed out and ready to wear. With each pass your ring will get shinier and shinier until it is complete.
STUNNING FINISHED HANDMADE SILVER RING
Ta da! It turned out even better than I expected and more beautiful than the example I picked from the design box.
For my silver ring, I chose not to oxidize the tropical vine pattern that I etched into it to keep it with a subtle look. The option is there to oxidize and darken if you want your design to stand out even more.
I need more fingers
I had the best time working on my unique souvenir from Bali and I already want to take another silver ring workshop to make myself another souvenir ring. There are so many cool ring design ideas in my head but I only have 10 fingers, and most of them are already accounted for with rings from around the world…
I would definitely encourage travellers who want a unique activity to do in Bali to take an hour or two out of their day to spend time learning the silver craft and creating a one-of-a-kind souvenir in the process. A silver ring workshop is also a great activity to sign up for on a rainy day in Bali when the beach clubs are definitely not calling your name.
I hope you do a silver ring workshop while you’re in Bali and take home a unique memory of the island!
Happy trip planning!
From one traveller to another, I hope this guide detailing what to expect at a silver ring workshop in Bali was helpful for you as you make your plans and set out on your next adventure!
If you read through this guide and still have questions about the experience or have other questions… fear not because I can still help! I have a personalized trip planning and advice service available to all Everywhere Travel Club readers. I’d love to chat for an hour with you and help answer any questions you’re working through, share fun ideas, and help bring your big trip into reality! For more info about the one one-on-one call for advice check out the details of my Personalized Travel Planning Sesh.
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