How to Hammer Jewelry

You adore the charms, trinkets and silver pieces you are creating with your very own jewelry line, but something is missing. That something may be the finishing touch of a little texture. Texture, designs and a fully finished look can be achieved on your pieces when you hammer jewelry.

Things You'll Need

• Hammer
• Platform
• File
• Steel wool or sandpaper (optional)
• Polishing cloth

Instructions

1. Pick a hammer, or several, that do the job you want. Special hammers created specifically for jewelry making include planishing hammer, which features one rounded and one flat side on the head; or a ball peen hammer, which comes much cheaper at most hardware stores, but it is not as refined. You may want to sand down the hammer's head if it has lines on it that will show up in your hammered jewelry.

2. Pick a hard surface on which to hammer the piece. Bench blocks are a good choice as they do not leave marks on the back of the piece. Bench blocks are smooth and highly polished pieces of metal often with rubber beneath to absorb shock. You can also use any dense, polished piece of metal or even a chunk of heavy wood to place directly beneath your piece. For a heftier hammer dent, place a flat towel or rag beneath the piece which will allow the hammer to strike deeper into the metal.

3. Lay your piece flat on your chosen surface and begin to hit it with the hammer. If unsure of the effect you want, start lightly on the back of the piece to see what you end up with. You can also practice on scrap pieces until you perfect the look you want.

4. Put finishing touches on the hammered jewelry by rubbing the metal with a file, sandpaper or steel wool. Files and wool can add a pit of texture while sandpaper can smooth off the piece. Wipe the finished piece down with a polishing cloth for the finale.

Tips & Warnings

• Polishing cloths are available at jewelry stores and many home stores in the cleaning aisle. Jewelry hammers can be purchased at jewelry supply stores or online (see Resources below). Bench blocks can be made of anything you wish, but professional ones can also be found at jewelry supply, craft and metalworking supply stores or online (see Resources below).

• Don't hammer a piece without something underneath it. .