Silver Jewellery Making Class near Monkey Forest Ubud Bali

The silver studio on Jalan Monkey Forest

The class takes place in a small open workshop on Jalan Monkey Forest, the lively street that runs from the centre of Ubud down to the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. Workbenches with torches, anvils, files and polishing wheels line the room, and each participant works at their own place with the silversmith moving between benches to guide, demonstrate and help with the trickier steps. Groups are kept small, so you get real personal attention.

The studio is wheelchair accessible, and snacks, mineral water and Wi-Fi are provided while you work. If you are searching for things to do in Ubud on a rainy afternoon or a quiet evening, this is a perfect choice: classes start every hour from 09:00 to 19:00, and the indoor workshop is unaffected by the weather.

Bali's silversmithing tradition

Silverwork is one of the oldest crafts in Bali. Its best-known centre is the village of Celuk, between Denpasar and Ubud, where families of smiths have worked silver and gold for generations, originally for temple ornaments and ceremonial jewellery. Balinese pieces are known for fine filigree, tiny granules of silver applied by hand and motifs taken from nature, such as frangipani flowers, leaves and waves.

In this silver making class in Bali you learn the same basic techniques the craftsmen use, adapted for beginners. The silversmith explains the properties of the metal, how heat changes it and why each step matters, so you understand not only how your piece is made but also why handmade Balinese jewellery is valued around the world.

Making your piece, step by step

You start by choosing a design from the catalogue, or sketching your own if it can be finished within three hours. The silver is weighed and melted with a torch into a small ingot, which you then forge with a hammer on the anvil, roll, cut and shape into a band, a pendant or a pair of earrings. Joins are brazed with fine solder, edges are ground and filed smooth, and patterns can be stamped or engraved.

If you like, stones or gemstones can be set into the design for an extra charge, before the piece is sanded and polished until it shines. Simple rings take about an hour, more detailed pendants and bracelets up to three. Each participant makes one piece and the silver cannot be shared. Up to 5 grams are included; if your design is heavier, the extra grams are charged in cash.

Around the studio: Monkey Forest and central Ubud

The studio sits a short stroll from the entrance of the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, a protected forest of giant banyan trees, moss-covered temples and a large population of long-tailed macaques. It is open every day, and an hour or two is enough for the visit; keep sunglasses and loose items in your bag, as the monkeys are curious.

At the top of Jalan Monkey Forest you reach Ubud Palace, the Ubud Art Market and the cafés of Jalan Raya Ubud, all within easy reach on foot. This makes the class easy to combine with a morning at the Monkey Forest or an evening Kecak dance show, and it is a lovely way to take a piece of Ubud with you as a personal souvenir.