Making the surface of the rosin board softer
Some Miao silver earrings feature beautiful patterns engraved on their surface. Before engraving, the silver pieces need to be fixed onto a rosin board. They’ll heat the black rosin board to make the surface softer, and the silver pieces can be easily fixed on it. The rosin then cools down, and the silver pieces are stuck in the surface.
To engrave the designs, a series of sharp steel sticks are needed. The steel sticks are about 10 cm long with flat, round, 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 patterns on the silver earring
Each intricate design should be engraved carefully. A slight error may ruin the whole piece of work. A skillful Miao silversmith needs many years of training and practice. Their elaborate silver earrings are impossible to be copied by any machine.
Print