Articles
The history of the gold and silversmith tradeHistory · 8Follow the precious metals' path through history — from ancient jewelry to today's hallmarks and purity control — and understand the tradition you enter as a goldsmith or silversmith.The gold and silversmith's working dayWeekday · 9An insight into the techniques and tasks a goldsmith and silversmith work with — from shaping the metal to assembling polishing and repairing fine jewellery.Precious metals, stones and toolsMaterials · 8Lær de vigtigste ædelmetaller, ædelsten og værktøjer at kende — og hvorfor lødighed og det rette værktøj er afgørende for et godt resultat.Safety and quality at the workbenchSafety · 8Soldering with an open flame and the use of acids are part of the trade. Get control of safety at the workbench and what characterizes a quality piece.Specialties and career in precious metalsCareer · 8The craft contains several directions — from fine repair to designing your own jewelry. Get overview of the possibilities and see how you can build a career in a craft built on handwork.How you educate children about nutritionThe education's structure · 9 minGold and silversmith is a vocational apprenticeship under the main area Technology, construction and transport. You start on the basic course, find an apprenticeship and complete a main course that alternates between school and workshop. Here you get an overview of the sequence, duration, entry requirements and how the admission works.Student wages and employment conditions as a gold and silversmith student.Løn og vilkår · 8 minWhen you have an apprenticeship agreement you get apprentice wages — both when you're in school and when you're at the workshop. The wages are typically stepped and rise through the course. Here we go through the principles behind apprentice wages collective agreements and the terms that apply when you become a journeyman.Stamps, fineness, and the law's requirements for precious metalsRules and legislation · 9 minIf you sell jewellery made of gold, silver, platinum or palladium in Denmark, there are rules to follow. The goods must be correctly marked so the buyer can trust the content, and the authorities carry out inspections. Here you get control of hallmark, fineness mark and the rule set you work within as a professional.Healthy Work Environment at the WorkbenchWork environment and safety · 9 minGoldsmith work is sedentary, fine motor and often happens in the same position for hours. This puts special demands on ergonomics, vision, extraction and protection against heat and chemicals. Here we cover the main workplace considerations so you can pursue the trade for many years.The craft today: where does a goldsmith and silversmith work?The industry today · 8 minThe gold and silversmith trade is small but broad — from repairs in the shop to artistic jewellery design and industrial production. Here we look at where graduates work, what job opportunities are available and what is driving the trade forward.What can you build on top of the apprenticeship certificate?Further and continuing education · 8 minYour journeyman certificate is not a dead end. You can keep your skills sharp with short courses, specialise deeper in a technique, move towards design and management, or build towards higher education. Here's an overview of the directions you can take as a qualified tradesperson.Filigree and granulation — the oldest decorative techniquesTechnique · 7 minFiligree and granulation are among the very oldest techniques in gold and silver smithing. Here you get the history behind the two techniques, how they are performed in practice, and why they are still part of the modern craft.Stone setting: setting types and the technique behind a secure stoneTechnique · 8 minEn sten, der sidder løst eller skævt, ødelægger et ellers flot smykke. Få overblik over de mest almindelige fatningstyper, hvad de bruges til, og hvad der kræves for at sætte en sten sikkert og pænt.Casting: from wax model to finished jewelleryTechnique · 8 minCasting makes it possible to repeat complex shapes in metal again and again. Get insights into the cire perdue technique — from wax model to finished cast jewellery — and see how modern 3D technology has found its way into the ancient method.Surface treatment: gilding oxidation and patinationMaterials · 8 minA piece of jewellery's appearance is often determined by the final surface treatment. Get an overview of gilding oxidation and patination — the techniques that give metal its final colour — and why some of the older methods have been replaced by safer alternatives.The journeyman's exam: how the final exam runsThe education's structure · 8 minThe journeyman's exam is the culmination of the entire education — a practical exam where you show that you master the trade. Get an overview of how the exam is organised, how long you have, and what is being assessed.Responsible precious metals: recycling, traceability, and conflict mineralsSustainability · 8 minGold and silver are mined all over the world, often under difficult conditions. Gain insight into how recycling, certification and EU rules on conflict minerals help make precious metals in jewellery more traceable and responsible.