Ubud Monkey Forest Silver Class – Craft Your Own Silver Jewelry

Make your Bali souvenir by hand. Near Ubud’s Monkey Forest, this small-group silver class lets you turn sterling silver into a finished ring, bracelet, or another approved design with help from local silversmiths. I especially like the hands-on process, since you take part in melting, shaping, soldering, filing, and polishing rather than simply watching. I also like the personal touches, such as engraving Bali or adding a gemstone for an extra fee.

The main thing to consider is that you make one piece per person, and some designs involve more hands-on work than others. Hammered or stamped styles give you more to do, while certain designs may require more help from the silversmith. The design choice can also feel a little rushed, so arrive ready with a rough idea.

The class is a friendly, creative way to spend a few hours in Ubud. It suits solo visitors, couples, families with older children, and anyone who wants a souvenir with a story attached. Just remember that the silver allowance is accounted for as 5 grams even if your finished piece weighs less.

Key points to know before you book

• Your silver piece is made from sterling silver 925, starting with the melting and shaping of the metal.
• You take part in nearly every stage, including hammering, pressing, soldering, filing, and polishing.
• You choose the design, from sample patterns or your own idea, but each participant can make only one piece.
• The group is capped at 10 people, allowing room for individual guidance from the silversmiths.
• Extra silver costs IDR 85,000 per gram above 5 grams, while gemstones cost IDR 100,000 to 500,000.
• The workshop is about a 15-minute walk from the Monkey Forest, and transport to the class is not included.

Why this Ubud silver class is worth your afternoon

Ubud has no shortage of craft shops, but buying a silver ring is not the same as making one. Here, you leave with a finished object that carries the memory of the work itself: heating the metal, striking it with a hammer, shaping it into form, and smoothing the rough edges.

At $41.85 per person, the price covers the silver materials, tools, instruction, mineral water, snacks, and Wi-Fi. It also includes the piece you make, starting from 1 to 5 grams. That makes the price fair for a three-hour activity, especially since the class gives you a souvenir and a practical introduction to silversmithing.

I would not book this expecting a formal art-school lesson or a long course in metalwork. The aim is a manageable holiday workshop. You learn enough to make one piece, with a local craftsperson guiding you through the parts that require skill and care.

The small group matters. With a maximum of 10 people, the silversmith can help you keep the shape even, correct a design that may not work well in silver, and assist with technical steps such as soldering. Names that have received warm praise include Eddie, Ino, Ketut, Sugita, and Arta, though your instructor may be someone else.

From a sample design to your own idea

The class begins with the most enjoyable decision: choosing what to make. You can select from sample designs or suggest a personal design of your own. Rings and bracelets are common choices, and matching rings work especially well for couples.

Think about your design before you arrive. A simple band, stamped pattern, or hammered finish is likely to give you more direct work with the tools. A detailed shape may look impressive, but it can require more assistance and leave you with less control over the process.

You can also ask about engraving. One ring was stamped with Bali on the inside, turning a simple piece into a clear reminder of your time on the island. An engraving can be a name, date, or short word, although the available options and any added cost should be confirmed at the workshop.

Gemstones are another possible add-on. They cost between IDR 100,000 and 500,000, depending on the stone and its size. The base price does not include this addition, so ask about the cost before choosing one.

The design stage is one place where you should be decisive. The class has a limited time, and the design selection may feel hurried if you arrive with no plan. Browse the samples carefully, but do not spend so long choosing that you cut into your making time.

Melting sterling silver 925

After choosing your design, you are introduced to the silver, tools, and basic process. The material used is pure silver referred to as sterling silver 925. In practical terms, this is the standard silver alloy used for durable jewelry, rather than a soft lump of pure silver that would be difficult to use for everyday wear.

The first major step is melting the silver. This gives the workshop a clear beginning and helps you understand that your jewelry is being formed from raw material, not assembled from a ready-made part.

The silversmith handles the process with you and helps make sure the metal is suitable for the next stage. You get a close look at how heat changes the silver, then the work shifts from fire to force.

This is where the class starts to feel physical. You hammer and press the silver into a usable shape. One participant described the work as more demanding than expected, so do not assume this is a sit-back craft lesson. It is not extreme exercise, but repeated hammering can take effort.

That physical element is part of the appeal. You can see the metal change under your hands, and the finished ring feels more personal because you helped form it.

Hammering, pressing, and shaping the metal

The silver first becomes a basic form, then you work toward the shape required by your chosen design. Depending on what you select, this may involve bending, pressing, or hammering patterns into the surface.

A hammered or stamped design gives you a stronger sense of making the piece yourself. You can see the marks develop as you work, and small variations make the result feel personal rather than factory-perfect.

Some designs are less hands-on. If the form is technically complex, the silversmith may do more of the shaping while you assist. That is not a flaw, but it is worth knowing if your main goal is to use every tool yourself.

For a ring, shaping must be done with care so the ends meet and the band fits properly. This is one of the moments when the instructor’s guidance is especially useful. Ketut, for example, has been praised for helping participants adjust their designs so the final rings looked good.

Couples can use this stage to make matching pieces. You might choose the same pattern, use complementary shapes, or make rings for one another. The class has also worked well for anniversary celebrations because you create something together instead of simply purchasing a gift.

Soldering: the technical stage

Once the silver has been shaped, the next step is soldering. This joins parts of the jewelry and turns separate ends or elements into one piece.

Soldering is a technical task, so expect close guidance. You will learn about the stage and take part as far as the instructor allows, but the silversmith is there to keep the work safe and accurate.

This is one reason the class works for complete beginners. No jewelry-making experience is required, and the instruction moves step by step. People who have always wanted to try silversmithing often find the process more approachable than expected.

Still, do not confuse beginner-friendly with effortless. You may need patience while the instructor checks the join, corrects the shape, or helps you make a small adjustment. That care is useful. A ring with a weak join or uneven shape would not make a very good keepsake.

The workshop’s best quality is its patient, personal teaching. Ino has been praised for being kind and skilled, while other instructors have been described as friendly, funny, and clear. The mood seems social, but you can also attend alone and enjoy the work at your own pace.

Filing and polishing your finished piece

After soldering and shaping, the silver still has rough edges and marks from the tools. Filing smooths the surface and refines the shape. This stage may seem less dramatic than melting or hammering, but it is what helps turn a rough handmade object into wearable jewelry.

You then polish the piece. The change can be striking: dull, marked silver becomes smoother and brighter. This final work gives you a better sense of how much labor goes into a small ring or bracelet.

Pay attention here. The final result depends not only on the design but also on how carefully the edges are filed and how thoroughly the surface is polished. The silversmith can help, but your patience matters.

When the piece is ready, it belongs directly to you. The silver is not shared between participants, and each person makes one individual item. You take that piece home at the end of the class.

The finished weight depends on your design. The allowance begins at 1 to 5 grams, but the pricing rule counts the usage as 5 grams even if the finished piece weighs less. If you use more than 5 grams, the additional charge is IDR 85,000 per gram.

What the three-hour schedule feels like

The advertised duration is about three hours, while the class duration is listed as 1.5 to 3 hours. Your actual time will depend on the design, the amount of help needed, and the pace of the group.

A simple ring may move through the stages more quickly. A more detailed bracelet or design with extra shaping may take longer. Since everyone makes only one piece, the workshop is focused rather than open-ended.

The class can be a good afternoon activity after exploring central Ubud. The meeting point is on Jalan Raya Monkey Forest, and one description places it about a 15-minute walk from the Monkey Forest itself. There is no shuttle included, so plan your own way to the workshop.

Snacks and mineral water are included, which is helpful during a hands-on session. Free Wi-Fi is also available, though the silver work is the reason to put your phone down for a while.

The workshop is wheelchair and stroller accessible, and it is near public transportation. Most people can participate, but the hammering and hand work may be tiring for some visitors. If you have concerns about physical effort, ask the staff for help with the more demanding steps.

Who will enjoy this workshop most

I would recommend this class to you if you like making things, want a personal souvenir, or prefer an activity with a local craft focus. It is particularly good for:

• Solo visitors who want a welcoming activity with friendly instruction
• Couples making matching rings or celebrating an anniversary
• Families with older children who can follow instructions and handle a hands-on task
• First-time makers who want to try silversmithing without prior training
• Shoppers who want a piece of jewelry with an engraving or personal design

Children have enjoyed the activity, especially because they leave with a real object they helped create. Younger children may need more help, and the physical work may not suit every child.

This is also a good choice for someone who usually avoids group activities. The class has a maximum of 10 participants, and solo participants have found it easy to take part without needing a companion.

I would be less enthusiastic if you want a quiet, fully polished jewelry-making demonstration with no physical work. The class is active, and you may spend time hammering, filing, and repeating a task until the shape is right.

Practical value, extra costs, and timing

The base cost offers solid value because it includes instruction, tools, silver, refreshments, and the finished item. You are not paying only for a souvenir. You are paying for the process and the help needed to make it wearable.

Keep the extra charges in mind before you start. Silver over 5 grams costs IDR 85,000 per gram. Gemstones add IDR 100,000 to 500,000, based on type and size. These are reasonable additions if they matter to your design, but they can change the final cost.

You cannot combine or share the silver allowance with another person. Each participant makes one piece, and each person’s silver use is accounted for separately.

Book with enough time left in your Ubud stay if possible. The class ends at the same meeting point, and the cancellation terms allow a full refund only when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded.

Should you book the Ubud Monkey Forest Silver Class?

Book it if you want to leave Bali with something you shaped yourself. The strongest reasons are the personal instruction, the chance to take part in nearly every stage, and the ability to add an engraving or gemstone.

I would choose a simple design if this is your first attempt. That gives you more time to hammer, shape, and polish the silver yourself. Couples should consider matching rings, while solo visitors should not hesitate to join. The friendly teaching style makes this a comfortable activity even when you arrive alone.

Skip it if you dislike hand work, have no interest in making jewelry, or want several finished pieces. The class allows one piece per person, and some of the work can be tiring.

For most visitors, $41.85 is a fair price for an active Ubud afternoon and a keepsake that cannot be bought from a shelf. Just arrive with a design idea, allow for possible add-ons, and enjoy the slightly messy path from silver lump to wearable memory.

FAQ

Where does the silver class take place?

The meeting point is Ubud Monkey Forest Silver Class on Jalan Raya Monkey Forest, Ubud, Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia.

How long does the class last?

The activity takes approximately three hours. The class duration is listed as 1.5 to 3 hours, depending on the design and pace.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $41.85 per person.

Is silver included in the price?

Yes. Necessary materials and tools are included, along with silver for a piece starting from 1 to 5 grams.

How much jewelry can each participant make?

Each participant can make one silver jewelry piece.

Can I use less than 5 grams of silver?

Yes, but the silver usage is still accounted for as 5 grams if your piece weighs less.

What happens if my piece weighs more than 5 grams?

Silver above the 5-gram limit costs an additional IDR 85,000 per gram.

Can I add a gemstone?

Yes. Gemstones are available for an additional IDR 100,000 to 500,000, depending on the type and size.

Is transportation included?

No. Shuttle transportation is not included. The workshop is near public transportation and is about a 15-minute walk from the Monkey Forest.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.