The Tools Used to Make Jewelry in the British Georgian Period
The Georgian period was punctuated by social upheaval and the Napoleonic Wars, as well as truly opulent jewelry and fashions. During this time, gold, silver and jewels were scarce, especially in the British Isles. As a result, a great deal of jewelry from this time period was destroyed to pay for necessities during a chaotic time.
Other People Are Reading
-
Jeweler's Hammer
-
In pre-industrial Britain, everything was done by hand. Because gold is so malleable, jewelers could mold this soft metal without heating it by using a small but heavy hammer. Indeed, the jeweler's hammer was the primary tool used in jewelery production for the majority of Britain's history.
Rolling Mill
-
The rolling mill was invented by Henry Cort in 1783 and greatly changed the style and quality of European jewelery for decades to come. Originally invented to expedite the production of steel, rolling mills were utilized for the pressing and shaping of precious metals, as well.
-
Grinding Wheel
-
Because of the lack of modern grinding technology, Georgian jewelers were forced to hand-grind gemstones on a stone wheel. The relative softness of the stone made this process meticulous, and often resulted in very rough cuts. The lack of sharp angles on a piece of jewelry is one of the characteristics that helps historians to identify a piece as Georgian.
-
