Discover the Charm of Silver Jewellery in Bali!
“Why silver jewellery?” It sounds like a simple question. Yet, it challenges one of the strongest assumptions in jewellery culture—that gold is the ultimate goal and silver is merely a stepping stone. In a world full of trends, silver accessories remain one of the most loved metals of all time.
Often framed as “second best,” this shiny metal actually managed to retain its appeal among the coming and going of trends. Even in studios, workshops, and jewellery-making classes around the world, many handcrafted artisans, both beginners and masters, keep returning to silver. Why silver? Let’s explore the answer in this article!
Why are gold and silver used for jewellery?
They are used for jewellery because of their natural beauty, durability, and workability. There is a reason why gold and silver jewellery hold a special place in human culture. For thousands of years, these two metals have been the go-to choice for ornaments. Initially, this is because they are both the easiest metals to find during the early stages of jewellery-making in prehistoric times.
Even before modern branding and luxury marketing existed, early humans in ancient civilisations already understood the quality of these two metals. First, aside from their shiny appearance, gold and silver are known to be naturally resistant to rust and corrosion. This is perfect as it means they won’t break easily over time and can become a durable possession.
Next, it is easy to shape. In the process of making gold and silver jewellery, an artisan, a goldsmith, or a silversmith can easily melt, shape, engrave, or refine it into what they want. Usually, the purer the gold or silver, the softer they are. The softer they are, the easier it is to turn them into intricate designs. This is why there are so many types of jewellery, ranging from rings, bracelets, earrings, and chains.
925 vs 950 silver
Silver is a chemical element. Like other elements, you can find it in the periodic table, represented with the symbol Ag and atomic number 47. The symbol Ag is taken from the word argentum, which is the Latin name for silver, meaning “shining” or “white”. Many people are unaware that there are actually many types of this metal.
Typically, you can differentiate silver jewellery based on its purity percentage or level. For starters, there is pure silver with 99.9% purity. This type is marked as 999 silver. However, because pure silver is too soft, it can’t stand being worn daily as jewellery. That’s why, when it comes to jewellery-making, a jeweller uses 925 or 950 silver. Let’s learn more about these two.
925 and 950 mean
The three numbers reflect how much pure silver is present out of 1,000 parts of the alloy. Therefore, 925 silver means there are 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% of other metals in an alloy. Similarly, there are 95.0% pure silver and 5.0% other metals in 950 silver. The other metals are usually added to increase hardness and strength, so the silver can withstand daily wear if used as an accessory.
Appearance
In terms of appearance, 950 silver is brighter, whiter, and more luminous due to its higher silver content. This is also because the alloy has less copper in it compared to 925 silver. However, 925 silver is also attractive with its metallic sheen. Although 925 silver appears slightly warmer and greyer, this type looks crisp and clean when freshly polished, making it the more popular choice for silver jewellery.
Is Bali silver jewellery of good quality?
Yes, Bali silver jewellery is regarded as high quality. If you are visiting Bali and are also a jewellery enthusiast, you may have heard the word “Bali silver” a lot. To put it simply, it refers to the Balinese handicraft in creating unique accessories made of silver, such as rings, earrings, brooches, bracelets, and many more. Here are some fun facts about this tradition!
Most modern Bali silver is 925 or sterling silver
They are famous for their filigree or granulation methods that are also used for temple or ceremonial offerings
In Bali, artisans still rely on hand tools like hammers, chisels, and torches while making silver jewellery
You can find much of Bali’s silverwork in certain places on the island, such as Celuk Village
As they are handmade by beginner or expert silversmiths, the designs feel organic, spiritual, and expressive
Make your own silver jewellery in the Canggu Silver Jewelery Class!
Silver has long proven itself as a timeless choice for jewellery. It combines beauty and durability, with its shine reflecting its quality. No matter which type of silver you choose, it delivers lasting appeal. Be it 925 or 950, all of them are fine silver and can also become fine jewellery in the hands of a good craftsman.
If you want to learn the craftsmanship of silver jewellery, try joining a jewellery-making class! Whether you are a beginner or an expert artisan, you can always find joy in making handmade pieces. If you are in Bali, then it’s even better! Book and learn the creative lesson for making Bali silver in the Canggu Silver Jewelry Class, and give yourself a one-of-a-kind souvenir to treasure forever!
