Bali Masterclass for Advanced Silversmiths

The Alas Arum advanced silversmith masterclass runs in Sukawati village near Ubud. It's for experienced jewelers who want to refine 925 sterling silver, 18k/22k gold, and gold-plating techniques. This is not a beginner class. You already need to know basic sawing, soldering, and finishing. The class pushes you into complex fabrication, stone setting, and production-level precision.

Who the Masterclass is For

You'll fit right in if you're a working silversmith, jewelry graduate, studio owner, or serious hobbyist. You need to have finished an intro class or have similar bench time. And you should be comfortable with a jeweler's saw, a torch, and basic forming before you show up.

Typical participants include:

Professional jewelers who want to add gold work or gold plating to their services.
Bench workers preparing for higher-end custom orders.
Graduates of standard workshops who want to move from simple rings to multi-part pieces.
Artists who want to scale from one-off pieces to small production runs.

If you're new to metalwork, start with the standard workshops instead. The brass class is a low-cost way to practice core techniques before moving to silver.

What the Bali Masterclass for Advanced Silversmiths Covers

The curriculum flexes depending on the group, but you can expect advanced fabrication, gold work, plating, stone setting, and finishing. The workshop is open-air and built for small groups, so instructors can adjust projects around what you need.

Advanced Fabrication

You'll work on multi-component construction, hollow forms, hinges, clasps, and repeatable design systems. The focus is clean joins, accurate measurements, and pieces that can handle daily wear.

Gold Work and Gold Plating

Alas Arum is one of the few Bali workshops that teaches 18k and 22k gold alongside sterling silver. You'll learn how gold alloys behave, how to solder gold without damaging neighboring silver, and how to electroplate for consistent color and thickness. Honestly, gold is trickier than silver under a torch until you've done it a few times with someone watching.

Stone Setting and Finishing

You'll practice bezel, prong, and flush settings, plus high-polish and satin finishes. Instructors help you fix common problems like porosity, fire scale, and uneven prong tension.

Skills You Will Refine

This class is built around repeatable skills, not a single souvenir project. You'll leave with finished pieces, sure, but the real win is better bench control.

Sawing and filing precisely enough for tight seams.
Soldering multi-joint assemblies without overheating.
Handling gold alloys and matching colors.
Setting up electroplating safely and fixing common issues.
Setting round, oval, and cabochon stones.
Finishing from mirror polish to intentional texture.
Making jigs and workholding setups for small-batch production.

Masterclass vs. Regular Workshop

People often ask how the advanced masterclass compares to the standard silver or brass classes. The table below breaks it down.

Feature	Regular Workshop	Advanced Masterclass
Experience level	Beginner to intermediate	Intermediate to professional
Materials	Mainly brass or sterling silver	Sterling silver, 18k/22k gold, gold plating
Project scope	Single ring, pendant, or simple band	Multi-part pieces, mechanisms, stone settings
Instruction	Guided step-by-step	Technique-focused with independent bench time
Group size	Up to 50, often mixed levels	Smaller, focused groups for advanced work
Outcome	One finished piece and basic skills	Advanced techniques and portfolio-quality work

If you're not sure which level fits, check the masterclass page or contact the workshop before you book.

Workshop Setting and Facilities

Alas Arum is Bali's largest open-air silver and gold workshop, located in Sukawati village a short drive from Ubud. The workspace sits among jungle and rice terraces. Long bench sessions feel less like a classroom and more like a working retreat.

The facility can host up to 50 people, but the advanced masterclass runs in smaller groups. Instructors can give detailed feedback that way. There's also an on-site restaurant and bar, so you can take breaks without leaving the property.

Browse the gallery to see what people make here, from simple silver rings to complex gold and stone-set pieces.

A Typical Masterclass Day

Every day mixes demonstration, supervised bench time, and critique. You won't be stuck repeating one template. After a short technical demo, you'll work on your own designs.

A common day might look like this:

Morning: The instructor demos a specific technique, like gold soldering or flush setting.
Midday: You get independent bench time with one-on-one checks.
Afternoon: Finishing, troubleshooting, then a group critique.
Late afternoon: Optional free bench time or a break at the restaurant.

The masterclass is short and intensive. Arrive with a clear idea of what you want to improve. Bring sketches, failed pieces, or reference photos so instructors can zero in on your weak spots.

Materials: Sterling Silver, Gold, and Plating

This masterclass deliberately includes materials many Bali workshops skip because of cost and complexity.

925 Sterling Silver

You'll work with standard sterling silver. You'll learn to anneal, harden, and finish it without introducing fire scale or brittleness. The focus is consistent quality across multiple pieces.

18k and 22k Gold

Gold behaves differently from silver, especially under a torch. You'll practice soldering gold to gold and gold to silver. You'll also learn heat control to avoid melting fine parts and how to match solder color to the alloy.

Gold Plating

Plating gives silver pieces a commercial finish. The masterclass covers surface prep, bath setup, voltage and time control, and how to fix common flaws like peeling or uneven color.

Why Advanced Silversmiths Choose Alas Arum

A few practical reasons stand out.

The instructors work daily with silver and gold, not just as occasional class leaders.
The open-air studio gives you room to work without feeling cramped.
You can test techniques on silver before spending on expensive gold.
The on-site restaurant and bar make breaks easy without leaving the property.
Sukawati is close to Ubud but away from the worst tourist traffic.
Advanced sessions are smaller, so you get more direct feedback than in large beginner classes.

How to Prepare for the Masterclass

To get the most from your time, prepare before you arrive.

Bring clear sketches or photos of pieces you want to make or fix.
If you've been away from the bench, brush up on basic sawing and soldering.
Pick one or two techniques to focus on instead of trying to learn everything.
Ask about material availability ahead of time, especially if you want 22k gold.
Wear closed-toe shoes and clothes you don't mind getting dirty.

We see students get much more out of the class when they arrive with a specific problem to fix.

If you're still building confidence, take the brass class first. It's a low-risk way to refresh your hand skills before silver and gold.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need previous silversmithing experience for this masterclass?

Yes. You need to already know basic sawing, soldering, annealing, and finishing. If you're a complete beginner, a standard silver or brass workshop works better.

Can I work with 18k or 22k gold during the masterclass?

Yes. The masterclass includes gold work. You can practice with 18k or 22k gold depending on your project and instructor guidance. Gold costs more than silver, so advanced sessions often focus on using it efficiently and controlling scrap.

How many people are in an advanced masterclass session?

Group sizes vary. Advanced sessions are generally smaller than the standard workshops, which can host up to 50 people. Smaller groups mean more individual feedback and bench time.

Do I need to bring my own tools?

No. The workshop provides the tools and equipment you need. You can bring personal hand tools if you like, but it's not required.

Is the masterclass suitable for jewelry business owners?

Yes. Plenty of participants use the masterclass to add gold plating, stone setting, or repeatable production techniques to their business. The focus on efficiency and consistency helps with custom orders.

How do I book the advanced masterclass?

Contact the workshop through the contact page to check availability, talk about your skill level, and reserve a spot. Book ahead because advanced sessions run in smaller groups.

Ready to Advance Your Silversmithing?

The Alas Arum advanced silversmith masterclass gives experienced makers a rare chance to refine silver, gold, and plating skills in an open-air studio near Ubud. If you want focused instruction, real materials, and bench time that moves your work forward, this program is a solid pick.

Get in touch with the workshop today to reserve your spot in the next advanced masterclass.