How can they craft such beautiful silver rings?

Our Miao silver rings are made by hand by experienced, skilled artisans. The unique techniques these craftsmen use to craft silver rings have been handed down for generations. Making a single unique silver ring involves dozens of steps.

Melting pure silver is the first step. Traditionally a big stove made of charcoal is used to melt silver. Today, silversmiths have invented a small, light electric tool that can bring the silver to temperatures over 1,000 degrees Celcius.

Melting silver

The searing silver liquid is then poured into an iron slot to harden into a solid silver bar. Forceps are used to take the bar out of the slot and it’s hammered into the required shape. Many Miao rings are crafted with silver slices thin as a piece of paper. The band is usually made of wider silver pieces.

Working with fine silver threads

How do they work with such thin slices to craft silver rings? Only using a pair of scissors and forceps, the Miao artisans can twist the slices into intricate patterns that bring out vivid birds, flowers, and animals. Some craftsmen always wear a magnifying glass just to see the fine pieces on their silver rings.

Sometimes hair-like silver threads are thrown into the mix when crafting silver rings. To make silver threads, Miao artisans use a steel sheet with 60 different round holes. The steel board is put onto a short, round wooden post. The silversmith steps onto the board and uses a pair of pliers to pull silver through the holes. Just like that, an ideal silver thread is created.

To work with such fine silver slices or threads is very hurtful to one's eyes. That's why lots of Miao silversmiths have to retire before they’re 50 years old.

Draw patterns on the silver with a pencil

Traditional Miao silver rings usually have a wide band that covers almost half of the finger. These bands almost always feature beautiful engravings of flowers and animals.

To engrave patterns on the silver, a rosin board is used to hold the pieces in place. Artisans heat the black rosin to soften it, and then the silver is easily placed on top. When the rosin cools down, the silver ring is stuck in the surface.

The silversmith will now use a pencil to draw designs on the silver, and then he will engrave the designs using sharp steel sticks. The steel sticks are about 10 cm long with round, flat, or pointed tops. A light hammer made of the horn of a water buffalo is used to strike the sticks and make the design.

Engraving the design on the silver ring

Engraving is quite time consuming. And carefully handmade silver rings have completely new, unique designs never seen on other pieces of jewelry.

A finished Miao silver ring

Miao silver rings often feature different pieces connected together, so the almost perfect soldering of tiny pieces is strictly demanded. Inspecting a Miao silver ring, you’ll never find any small, ugly bubbles of solder. The finished work looks so neat and clean.

Washing is the last step. Immersing the handmade rings into phosphoric acid for a few minutes can remove stains from its surface and makes the silver rings brighter.

Intricately designed Miao silver rings also reflect Miao culture. They are so unique that it's impossible for anyone to duplicate.