What Is the Art of Silversmithing?

Silversmithing is a painstaking and complex art with its origins deep in the history of human civilization. A keen eye, an artistic aesthetic, and a steady hand are just a few of the requirements of being a silversmith. Understanding some of the basic principles of the art can help you decide upon a hobby, or career, as a silversmith.

History

The crafting of precious metals such as silver has been a prized skill since the times before recorded history. In the early years of silversmithing, the artisan could be expected to process the raw ore into ingots, and then work the purified metals into jewelry, statues, and other adornment. Sometimes these ingots were used to coin money instead of creating jewelry. However, as the process of refining silvers, or "smelting," became more complex and sophisticated, silversmiths concentrated on crafting the silver which allowed them to create some of the most precious and highly-prized home and personal accessories. Silversmithing became an extremely lucrative profession in the late medieval period and continued well into the 20th century. Perhaps the most famous silversmith in American history is Paul Revere, a silversmith who warned of a British invasion during the Revolutionary War.

Function

Though silversmiths are no longer involved in the smelting of silver ore into ingots, they still must melt the metal in order to form it. Originally, easily moved silver bricks called "ingots" were sold to a silversmith who then shaved off the necessary amount, placed the shavings into a durable cup called a "crucible," and placed it into a furnace until the soft silver melted. Most modern silver no longer comes in the form of ingots but in small beads, because they are easy to melt and the packaging of the silver is more precise. While the silversmith is waiting for the silver to melt (or more likely before beginning the process), the silversmith will create a mold to determine the shape of the silver product. Molds are used to make almost all silver products, from rings to candlesticks.

Effects

When the molten silver is ready to be formed into its intended shape (or "cast"), the silversmith removes the crucible and pours the silver into a small hole at the top of the mold. The most common type of mold in this process is called the "lost wax" method. The shape of the silver item, say a ring, is first created as a wax figure. That wax figure is then packed in a plaster-like substance called "investment." Investment does not melt, but the wax not only melts but evaporates. The result is a void that the molten silver follows to create the intended shape. After the silver cools, the mold is broken open to reveal the rough shape of the silver item, such as a ring. The rough shape has its edges (called "flashings") sanded off and it is polished to reveal the distinctive silvery sheen. Sometimes gemstones or other metals are worked into the silver item in order to enhance its value.

Effects

Sometimes silversmiths need to apply heat to their creations to alter its original shape. This usually occurs when a shape is too complex to be formed by a mold directly. In pre-industrial ages, the object would be placed near enough the furnace to soften the metal for manipulation. With the advent of blow torches, however, the modern silversmith can manipulate the silver object more precisely. Care must be exercised, however, to not damage the metal by making it too thin, weak, or discolored. Also, heat applied to some semi-precious stones that may be set in the silver object may damage the stone, sometimes shattering it.

Identification

Silversmiths also make other objects, such as plates or eating utensils. As skilled craftsmen, the silversmiths take pride in their work and usually stamp a symbol on the underside of the object to identify their work. This early form of advertising allowed the silversmith to build up their reputation as their skill was easily identified by the products' quality and ornateness. In the 20th century, silversmiths also began to put small numbers on their products as well. These two- or three-digit numbers indicate the purity (in percent) of the silver. For example, a silver object with the number "925" on the underside is 92.5% pure silver. Truly pure silver is often far too soft to exist as anything other than casting material or ingots (hence, there will never be a "1000" on an object, though there may be a "999"). The reason is that silver is often amalgamated with another metal to make it more sturdy, such as "sterling silver," which is 92.5% silver mixed with copper. The copper gives the silver a rigidity and strength that pure silver lacks.

Resources

• working with silver
• Encyclopedia Brittanica entry on Paul Revere
• C.C. Silver & Gold Jewelry Supplies