Discover
Luang Prabang Silversmith in UNESCO World Heritage site, has a rich history of silversmithing that dates back centuries. The craft flourished under royal patronage, with silversmiths creating intricate pieces for the royal family and temples. Traditional designs, such as the “dok pi-khune,” were initially exclusive to royalty. The town’s silversmiths are renowned for their skill and artistry, producing items that reflect both cultural heritage and exquisite craftsmanship.
I am Kone. My passion for the art and my skills inspired me to become a goldsmith. I have been working as a goldsmith since 1990, which means I have 34 years of experience.
I can teach and explain the process of coining money and gold. This method has been passed down, and I have taught many young people who have now become masters themselves. The cultural heritage of Luang Prabang influences the design of many gold and silver items, such as belts, bracelets, earrings, and rings.
Jewelry making class
Half-Day Silver Workshop
Duration: 3-4 hours (09:00 – 12:00 / 14:00 – 17:00).
Participants: Maximum 5 people.
Output: 1 or 2 pieces of jewelry (total of 10 grams).
49$ for a person
The Techniques of Silversmith
Overview
Join us in preserving the rich tradition of Luang Prabang’s silversmiths, who historically created intricate pieces for the royal family and temples. This workshop invites tourists to craft their own silver jewelry, guided by local artisans.
1. Smelting the silver
The making of silverware starts with smelting the raw silver, normally in ingot or bead form. (Nowadays, raw silver used in silver crafting is usually in the form of pea-sized beads). The smelting process separates the impurities from the silver and the pure silver is poured into moulids to form bars.
2. Rolling, stretching and pulling the silver into strands
Then the silver is rolled and stretched and pulled into silver strands of different thickness. In the past all this is made by hand, but nowadays, the rolling and stretching of the silver into strands can be made by passing the silver many times through a set of rollers powered either by a foot pedals or electricity. Then the silver is wound into coils and ready to be shaped into the design you are looking for.
3. Whitening and darkening treatment
Then depending on the taste of customers, the completed jewelry pieces have to receive the final “whitening” or “darkening” treatment by using a special kind of chemical to achieve the desired effect.
4. Polishing and shining and quality checking
To remove any irregularities, the jewelry pieces are polished. Finally, all the pieces are checked for quality prior to handing it to customers.
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