How and Where to Buy Silver in Bali—925

Looking to buy silver in Bali? This in-depth guide will help you locate silver jewelry created by some of Indonesia’s most famous silversmiths, whether you’re shopping for wedding rings or a memento from your stay in Bali.

Table of Contents

What you need to know about the silver market in Bali
Where does Indonesia get its silver from?
Indonesia’s 5 main silver mines
How are silver Balinese-masterpieces made?
How to negotiate with a silver merchant
Here’s how negotiations may go down
All that glitters is not necessarily silver
Test your silver before you buy silver in Bali
Best places to find or make one-of-a-kind silver pieces in Bali

Bali’s Silver Market: A Snapshot

Indonesia’s archipelago with thousands of islands, and its multi-generational craftspeople have earned respect for their mastery in a wide variety of mediums, including batik, woodworking, ikat, ceramics, wayang, and silat. 

Jewelers, on the other hand, identify Indonesia with the precious metal silver. Here, skilled craft workers have honed their skills in filigree and repoussé, and they can craft some of the finest handmade chains on the planet.

Silver manufacturing is an area where many major design firms have found success in Indonesia, either by building purely silver-focused outposts here or by employing local silversmiths and manufacturers.

Balinese silver has some of the most popular silver products in the world, and it is widely traded across the Atlantic, in the Pacific, and throughout Asia. 

Buying silver in Bali can be done in a number of shops, especially since the island’s silver market caters primarily to tourists and expats. 

Wholesalers and manufacturers who work with significant quantities of silver set their prices according to the cost of materials and metal, which fluctuates daily with the value of metal, plus the cost of labor per hour. There will likely be a little markup since businesses catering to tourists know that frequent haggling is the norm.

A trip to Bali is necessary for individual purchases, as negotiations must take place in person. 

Silver jewelry made in the Balinese style might sell for four times the wholesale price if you can’t negotiate your way down to a lower price.

Silverwork therein Bali is arguably the finest in the world, especially in intricate techniques like filigree and repoussé, and it’s made by skilled craftspeople at a lower cost. 

Where does Indonesia get its silver from?

In addition to having the world’s biggest gold mine in Papua, Indonesia is also a major source of silver, copper, tin, platinum, and bauxite, among other valuable minerals. Community mines are illegal in Indonesia and carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of 100 billion rupiah (USD $6.4 million). While hard data is difficult to come by due to the secretive nature of the industry, over 9,000 illicit mines are believed to be operating in Indonesia according to the Ministry of Environment and Forestry.

Indonesia’s 5 main (legal) silver mines

1. Project Martabe
   Martabe is a North Sumatra surface mine. United Tractors’ mine produced 2,340 koz of silver in 2020. Mine operations end in 2034.
2. Mine Batu Hijau
   Amman Mineral Internasional owns West Nusa Tenggara’s Batu Hijau Mine. In 2020, the surface mine produced 938.316 koz of silver. Mine operations end in 2031.
3. TBU
   East Java’s Tujuh Bukit Oxide Project. Merdeka Copper Gold owns the mine, which produced 549.44 koz of silver in 2020. Mine operations end in 2024.
4. Mill-level mine
   Inalum owns the Papua mining Deep Mill Level Zone. In 2020, the mine produced 413,202 oz of silver. Mine operates till 2041.
5. Grasberg Mine
   Inalum owns the Papua subterranean Grasberg Block Cave Mine. 2020 silver production was 382.831 koz. Mine operates till 2041.

How are silver Balinese-masterpieces made?

Celuk is the city most people think of when they hear “silver.” Travelers who want to see jewelry being made or who want to buy a beautiful silver Balinese-styled keepsake often make a pit stop at this crafty village. Shops selling silver now line the sidewalks of the city’s bustling, motorcycle-filled streets.

While in Celuk, browse the selection at the numerous businesses that both produce their goods in-house and work with local artisans to create unique pieces of jewelry.

Many shops use a combination of modern and traditional Balinese techniques to work their silver. And while most of the silver that is brought into Celuk comes from mines listed above, the process begins with pure silver granules that are melted with a foot-operated torch to create a copper coil (7.5% copper to 92.5% silver). Silver bars, wires, and granules of varying sizes are made by pouring the alloy into molds, and the process is known as “Tempa” because it is done entirely by hand.

The Indonesian word for “the process of making silver plate” is “nindes,” and this process involves feeding silver bars one at a time through a rolling mill until the bars are sufficiently thinned. Typically, a bar is coiled into a tube by hand before being fed through a draw plate to create wire. Ngaud refers to the process of making wire gauges by hand, again employing the draw plate and a log vice. A silversmith’s foot is sometimes used in place of a vice. Many of these processes are now automated elsewhere, but in Indonesia you can still witness skilled artisans using time-honored techniques.

Granulation involves melting wire into small balls, which are then separated by size using a strainer after being cut. “Ngebun” refers to the practice of embellishing with granulation and filigree in accordance with traditional Balinese motifs. Their master craftsmen have mastered the art of decorating silver by sight, bending wire with precision, and gluing without using a ruler. Each jeweler makes their own glue from locally sourced Pling-Pling (Abrus precatorius) seeds, making their jewelry both affordable and environmentally friendly. The seed is crushed with a few drops of water after the skin has been removed.

Indonesians use a technique called ngikir when soldering, which involves “filing a bar of solder into powder form,” and can take as long as a day and a half. After the glue has fully dried, solder paste is applied to the jewelry, and the temperature is carefully controlled to ensure a good bond. By immersing the soldered jewelry in boiling tamarind water, also known as “belimbing wuluh,” the dirt left by the soldering is removed, leaving the silver in a matte, white state; this process is called “ngasemin.” While most modern factories use sulfuric acid for cleaning, Celuk’s manufacturers stick to time-tested practices. Polishing the raised silver and dipping it in an oxidizing solution brings out the intricate patterns in Balinese silver design. When silver is oxidized, it takes on a new appearance that is characteristic of Balinese silverwork and can be recognized from across the room.

Rhodium plating alters the look of silver, especially when oxidized, so silversmiths in Celuk rarely do it. Instead of modern anti-tarnish treatments, they use’ rerek’ seeds (mixed with warm water and scrubbed using a toothbrush). The Balinese use the foam from the seeds to wash Batik fabrics because it is both gentle and effective at cleaning. The silversmiths of Bali have developed a sustainable method of making jewelry by fusing traditional techniques with modern ones and by using materials found in the area. If you’re in the area and you love jewelry and you want to see the great art of metalsmithing in action, you have to stop by this town.

How to negotiate with a silver merchant

If you can bargain in a playful courteous manner without offending anybody, you may be able to purchase a unique ring, neckless, or other item that will remind you of your time in Bali.

Negotiation is fundamental to business in many nations and cultures. In areas like Bali, haggling is anticipated and the asking price is inflated appropriately.

Believe it or not, you may be contributing to the collapse of an entire economy if, with your Western sensibilities, you enter a market and pay the asking prices (because it’s still a deal for you, or because you think you’re helping someone by intentionally paying more). The individual you’re trying to aid may not realize it, but your actions are affecting the greater picture.

In an inflationary economy, when prices rise unevenly, some people’s ability to buy things will always go down. This loss of real income is inflation’s biggest cost.

Having gotten that out of the way, here are 7 tips that will help you barter like a pro.

1. The best time to shop, like with other SE Asian markets, is early in the morning. Not only may you potentially avoid the bulk of the day’s crowds, but the first sale of the day is seen as a good sign of future success for the seller, so they may be more ready to provide steep discounts early in the day.
2. Be patient and browse the whole area more than once. Get familiar with the shops.  Find out what’s on sale, where it is, and how much of it there is (many booths sell identical goods).
3. The issue arises because the merchant will likely start bargaining the moment you ask for a price. So, the idea is to inquire about the item’s cost while seeming as uninterested as possible. After that, just walk away without engaging. 9 times out of ten they will probably immediately lower their asking price and/or request that you do the same. Simply pretend you don’t have any cash and keep walking.
4. When the negotiating starts, you’ll both make your cases. The merchant justifies charging hundreds more than you offered. Then you’ll have to break the news that you can’t afford to meet their demands. Say “thank you” for the great bargain they’re offering but that it’s still too pricey each time they reduce the price. Even when you counter with a little higher offer, insisting that it still isn’t good enough, at which point they’ll give a deeper discount.
5. The key is to seem interested without really caring too much about the issue at hand. Decide beforehand how much it’s worth to you before negotiating. Begin much lower and slowly increase to your eventual asking price.
6. Leave if you can’t agree. If the dealer follows you with another “final” price, they have more room to bargain. Walking away means your pricing was too low. But  you can make a higher offer later.
7. Keep in mind that you may get the same item (if not better item) at another half a dozen other places. If you are unable to reach an agreement with the initial seller you approach, look for another source who sells the same thing. It’s a cultural norm and a lot of fun.
8. Begin your counter offer at 65% less than their asking price.

Here’s how negotiations may go down

Buyer: How much is this? (Berapa banyak ni?) 

Seller: “X” (ini 1million rupiah)

Buyer: Open eyes wide and rest hand on chest expressing pain in a sarcastic way

Seller: “How much do you want to pay?” (“Mau bayar berapa?”)

Buyer: I don’t want to disrespect you, my price is way too low.

Seller: It’s okay, just tell me your price. (Tidak apa-apa … beritahu saya harga Anda.)

Buyer: Offer 65% off the asking price, depending on the item and how much you value it or you are willing to pay.

Seller: They squint their eyes and act as though they were in terrible agony.

Buyer: Walk away

All that glitters is not necessarily silver

One further thing to keep in mind while hunting for silver handmade beads, pendants, toggles, clasps, charms and chain, is that inexpensive objects sold in marketplaces and booths may not really be 92.5 sterling, despite the markings to the contrary.

A combination of pure silver (92.5% by weight) and copper (7.5% by weight) creates sterling silver. The purity of fine silver is 99.9%. While the silver content of Bali silver may vary from 92.5% to 99.9%, the vast majority of Bali silver is at the 99.9% level, making it finer silver than most of the jewelry we purchase in American stores.

As was already said, the process starts with pure silver mined in parts of Indonesia. It is then mixed with a little copper to make it stronger and a little borax to help the metals melt when heated with a torch.

Once the silver is melted, it is poured into a mold to make wire or sheets. From these pieces, beads are made by cutting the silver into different shapes and sizes.

Filagree-style designs are made by cutting small holes in metal, soldering thin wires to the pieces, and then granulating them. This makes it possible to make a surprising number of different designs. After the beads are made, they are cleaned with a solution made from tamarind fruit and then dipped in an antiquing solution, which fills the grooves with a dark color and makes the high and low parts of the bead stand out. This makes the bead’s beautiful pattern stand out even more.

Before you buy silver in Bali, test it.

Ice Test

This test requires ice: place a cube on the silver item. Silver has the highest thermal conductivity of any metal or alloy.  Authentic silver melts ice quickly at room temperature. This simple trick can tell you if you’re dealing with sterling silver or a fake.

Best places to find or make one-of-a-kind silver pieces

Silversmiths in Bali have been making ceremonial artifacts, beautiful jewelry, and other works of art for generations. And while t heir aesthetics and the methods vary from artist to silversmith,  finding an authentic gem in Bali is a adventure itself. 

Celuk, Mas, and Ubud are just few of the places in the Gianyar region where gold and silver communities may be found. If you are lucky, you may observe the artists at work while browsing the showroom, or you can take part in the creative process by making your own jewelry using tools like silver beads, tweezers, and wireworks with the help of local artisans.

Here are a few of Bali’s finest jewelry factories, where you may see skilled artisans at work, purchase unique pieces, and even take a class to learn the profession of silversmithing.

John Hardy Workshop

Mambal

Those who are aware with the market value of silver and handmade jewelry will likely find the pricing to be greater than in other shops. You’re shelling out cash for the product’s reputation and quality.

The jewelry line John Hardy is among the most well-known that comes out of Bali. By appointment, visitors to John Hardy’s Kapal Bamboo boutique may explore the complex and even have nasi goreng with the silver craftsmen and -women who make the jewelry.

John Hardy’s Mambal estate includes the design studio, the Three Mountain Workshop, and the Kapal Bamboo showroom, all of which are massive bamboo structures. The site also includes a farm where organic food is grown and eaten.

Lokasi: Jalan Raya Mambal No.1, Br. Baturning, Mambal, Abiansemal, Badung, Bali 80352, Indonesia

Buka: Daily from 8 am to 5 pm

Telepon: +62 (0)361 469888

Prapen Jewellery

Celuk, Bali

You’ll get a warm welcome as you walk through the door, followed by a guided tour of operations and retail space. If you were familiar with the going rate for silver and hand-made jewelry, you would find the prices to be reasonable. They will assist you in any way they can, whether you are just looking around, making a purchase, or trying to make something completely original. There are many one-of-a-kind silver jewelry here. This store’s only drawback is its remote location in a rural region.
Prapen Jewelry, located in the town of Celuk, is a major hub for the manufacture and sale of jewelry. The property is owned by a Balinese silversmith family that has been in business for generations. Workers behind the storefront carefully solder hundreds of microscopic silver grains onto metal bases. This painstaking operation calls for extreme precision and care and is seen in their masterful designs.

You may also book a class to understand the techniques used to create similar works. Private lessons in Prapen’s legacy granulation methods and other topics of interest are available at Prapen Jewellery for individuals who are motivated.

Based at: No. 66 Jalan Jaga Raga, Celuk, Sukawati, Gianyar, Bali 80582, Indonesia

Daily from 9am to 5pm

You may reach them on WhatsApp at +1 813 3911 4877.

Chez Monique Jewelry

Ubud, Bali

In Ubud, Chez Monique was one of the first silversmiths to provide dedicated training for would-be jewelers. Wayan Sunarta, a Balinese silver artisan and the shop’s founder, also teaches and mentors students.

In case you fall in love with a piece from Wayan’s stylish collection and want to recreate it, the company’s staff will be happy to provide a hand. A typical jewelry-making workshop will last for usually four hours. Plenty of time to  create your own masterpiece ring, bracelet, necklace, or set of stud earrings. Wayan’s family estate on Jalan Sri Wedari serves as the workshop center, while Chez Monique’s shop full of unique designs may be found on the nearby Jalan Hanoman. 77

They are based at: Jalan Sri Wedari No.57, Ubud, Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia

Daily from 10 am to 7 pm

You may reach them on WhatsApp at +62 (0)813-3845-4677

Studio Perak

Ubud, Bali

Studio Perak was created by Balinese silversmith and entrepreneur Ketut Darmawan. They are known for their stunning silver jewelry designs inspired by nature and set with semiprecious stones. After finding success in the international jewelry market with his one-of-a-kind creations, Ketut chose to pass on his knowledge by teaching workshops in the heart of Ubud.

Facility Perak’s open-door sessions are held in a comfortable studio on Jalan Hanoman. Learn the fundamentals of silversmithing in a hands-on workshop that lasts about 3 hours and ends with you wearing a custom-made silver ring or pendant. There is no minimum age requirement for the classes.

They are based at Jalan Hanoman No.15, Ubud, Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia

Daily from 8.30 am to 9 pm

You may reach them on WhatsApp at +62 (0)878-6172-4905

WS Art Studio

Ubud, Bali

Mask carving, batik painting, reading old Balinese manuscripts, traditional Balinese dancing, bamboo weaving, and silver jewelry making are just some of the workshops offered at Wahana Silver’s art studio.

Experience working with jeweler’s tools at one of their silver-making workshops. Each participant will get 5 grams of silver to use in designing and crafting their own silver creation. 

They are based at Jalan Bhisma Dua, Lodtunduh, Ubud, Gianyar, Bali 80571

Daily from 11 am to 6 pm

You may reach them with WhatsApp at +62 (0)821-4689-5330

Sunaka

Celuk, Bali

Silversmith and entrepreneur, Ketut Sunaka created the business that would become Sunaka Jewelry in 1979 . She started in a small  room she had renovated into a store to sell the jewelry she had designed and produced. From the beginning, Ketut Sunaka was swamped with orders from all over the world.

To ensure that the traditions of their forebears are carried down unaltered, Sanuka creates jewelry out of only the finest and most ornate silver and gold.

By the end of 1990, the company had hired more than 50 people from the Celuk Village area to work in its silversmithing workshops. This is her way of creating jewerly with deep ties to Bali and giving back to Celuk’s community.

They are based at Jalan Jagaraga 28B, Desa Celuk, Sukawati – Bali 80582.

Daily from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

They may be reached by WhatsApp at +62-361-298254

She was compelled to found Sunaka Jewelry in order to fulfill a vision of uniting art with a love for the world and the enchantment of Bali’s culture. Over the last decade, hundreds of individuals have claimed to have found happiness and blessings through their jewelry after connecting with their creations. Everyone from the individuals who provide the raw materials to the designers, manufacturers, marketers, salespeople, and customers who buy their products are part of this chain.

They are based at Jalan Jagaraga 28B, Desa Celuk, Sukawati – Bali 80582.

Daily from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

They may be reached by WhatsApp at +62 813 2555 9552

Or visit their website at shopsunakajewelry.com

The Bali Current

A writers note.
Overcoming my own self-doubt and criticism has led me to this point where I can say, “I am listening to all of you.”
My stories and articles are my way of communicating with you and showing you who I am. I want to teach you all I know…
about Bali’s culture, its people, and the things they do. All the symbols I’ve utilized in my own spiritual practice, as well as how they may be useful to you.
I will keep passing on the insights that have given me the confidence to pursue my passions, overcome my fears, and let my true self shine.