Up close in a silversmithing workshop

In his workshop El Berilo, Eligio Rojas offers a guided tour which includes a trade demonstration. Eligio shares the steps of his jewellery making process. It begins with the weighing of silver and copper and getting them ready for melting. From the melting process, the silver is turned into an ingot. Then, the artisan hammers the ingot, striking the metal and passing it through the rolling mill, which gradually reduces its size, until it becomes as thin as a thread. This will be the base for the jewel. Participants will be able to laminate, spin and twist the silver thread. Visitors should wear closed shoes and appropriate clothing to protect them from metallic elements and heat.