The gold and silversmith's working day
Techniques and manufacturing
Being a goldsmith and silversmith requires patience, precision and a steady hand. You work with small, expensive pieces of metal where a small mistake is clearly visible. Therefore, care and concentration are part of everyday life.
§Forming the metal
Jewelry is built from metal that is cut, filed, bent and hammered into shape. Precious metal is soft enough to form, but requires the right techniques. You learn to work precisely so that the parts fit together before they are assembled.
- 01Saw and file for cutting and shaping metal precisely.
- 02Forging and bending to give the metal shape.
- 03Soldering to join parts with heat and a solder metal.
- 04Polishing to give the surface its final shine.
§Soldering — assembling with heat
Soldering is a core technique. You heat the metal up and use a solder metal that melts at a lower temperature to bind the parts together. It requires a feel for the heat: too little and the solder won't flow; too much and you melt the jewelry itself.
§Repair and reworking
En stor del af arbejdet er at reparere og forny smykker, kunderne holder af. En ring skal måske gøres større, en kæde repareres, eller en gammel sten sættes i en ny fatning. Her er det vigtigt at behandle kundens stykke med respekt — det har ofte stor følelsesmæssig værdi.
| Assignment | Typical focus |
|---|---|
| New ring | Measure soldering and a neat even surface |
| Ring adjustment | Make it larger or smaller without spoiling it |
| Repair of chain | Discreet and durable assembly |
| Stone setting | Ensure the stone is firm and sits neatly |
Regardless of the task, you finish with polishing and inspection. A finished piece of jewellery should be clean, smooth and free of sharp edges and solder marks. It is the details that distinguish a professional piece from amateur work.