Making of Silver Ankle Chains

In the manufacture of ankle-chains, first of all silver wire of the required gauge is wound into a spring-like coil, which is then cut along its length with a pair of shears, creating a large number of jump rings. These are then threaded onto an iron rod ready for use, and a simple link chain is made with the jump rings. (More complex anklets or ankle chains can be created with different arrangements of S-shaped links and their variations on that form.) These Silver ankle chains, prefabricated findings, decorative bells, balls, or tiny heart-shaped pendants are laid out in the required order on an asbestos sheet and soldered with the aid of a blow-torch and a strand of silver solder wire. It is then pickled in a dilute solution of sulphuric acid and finally washed in a soapy dish. In Kutch, the finished silver is cleaned by dusting it in calcium powder.