Each Nielloware artist has his/her own formula for the composition of the Niello amalgam. After combining the desired amounts of silver, copper and lead in a crucible, melt the mixture in a forge at 300°C for four hours. Continue by mixing the amalgam with sulphur making sure there are no bubbles or scum. Then pour the amalgam on a clean flat container. When the amalgam dries, it should have a black color with a light blue luster. The amalgam is hard and has a low melting point. It is usually kept in the shape of rods or it may broken into small pieces. In some cases this procedure takes approximately 12 hours (Kongwan, Songwut, personal communication, July 15, 2000).