Silversmithing for beginners - get started

Gold or silver forging - what should I choose?

Silversmith is traditionally a craft where you create larger sculptural objects such as jugs, bowls and candlesticks. The correct definition of silver forging is the creation of objects by shaping silver with the help of hammers and anvils, while goldsmithing is largely about molding and making small details such as stone engravings in jewelry. So these are two different techniques, but today these have been mixed. What many people are referring to when talking about silver forging today is really gold forging in silver.

Thus, silver forging is a good start even for those who are curious about goldsmithing. Given the gold price, it may also be a good idea to start working in silver to learn the basics. So, how do you go about learning to forge in silver?

Silversmithing for beginners - step by step

The content of a silversmith course may vary depending on the course structure and the course leader's experience, but this is the approximate development curve if you take a course or learn at home.

1. Start (right) a little!

A ring is a fairly small object to start with to learn the basic techniques of silversmithing. Too small an object can be too difficult, just like too large an object. When you make a ring you get to practice bending, hammering, soldering and working with your precision to get the right size. You can also make a necklace, a pendant, where you cut out the shape that you then file, hammer and shape. With the two objects you have gone through many of the basic techniques you need to be able to move on.

2. Scale up!

If you want to proceed with the silversmith, you can now scale up the size of the objects you create. For example, you can make a bracelet to get some more material to work with. If you are not interested in jewelry making, you can make a small bowl or a small candlestick. The larger the object, the greater the risk - if the object is placed in the hand it is a reasonable size to work with in this step!

3. Equal to berries

Practice the detail feeling by creating two similar objects. Like, for example, two similar earrings. Creating two objects that are identical can be difficult, but the same is good enough! However, it may require some practice.

4. Solder, solder, solder

Practice soldering! Many people find that soldering is difficult. Therefore, it is important to practice. Over time, you can make longer and longer soldering. A small box as big as an old pentron is a decent size to practice soldering on. You can also practice by soldering two parts together into one.

5. Several parts in larger format

Work with several parts and go up in format! Imagine you have a plate and want to make a beaker in the shape of a glass with straight edges. You get to practice shaping the sheet into higher shapes by hammering it. Here you can also make a bowl that is a little taller and narrower, eventually a vase. Then it is often required that someone show how to do it.

Is silversmithing difficult?

It doesn't have to be! You can do a lot of nice things that are very simple. You can find something that fits all levels. That is the advantage of silver forging. It is large and wide and there is always something to learn!

Silver forging and jewelry design?

If you are specifically interested in jewelry making and want to learn how to create your own jewelry, this is the goldsmith you should invest in. It may sound counter-intuitive, but to create jewelry in silver, it's the goldsmith's techniques you should learn. In the goldsmith you will, among other things, learn to make stone frames that are better suited for jewelry making.

Find a course in silversmithing - Tips for choosing a silversmith course

- Based on what you prefer to learn. It may also be a good idea to see what the course leader has for the background. The course leader's experience is often telling which focus the course will have. Everyone who calls themselves a silversmith does not devote himself to silver forging, but may have a goldsmith background. In those cases, you will probably learn more about jewelry making. The courses may be different depending on who you attend. For some it may not matter, but for those who know what you want to learn, research is good.

Silversmith at home - here are the tools you need

• Gas flame. Many people who start with, for example, a flame burner.
• Soldering coal and solder tile.
• Solder. A silver that melts into joints, precisely the solder is mixed with other metals so it gets a lower boiling point.
• Flux to solder. A material used to prevent the silver from oxidizing during soldering.
• Tweezers (solder tweezers). For example, a big beak that holds itself together and a regular tweezers.
• Acid to put the silver in after soldering. Can use ordinary citric acid that you buy in the store.
• Other tools such as files, hammers and anvils.

Many who are beginning to want to use as small a tool as possible. Unfortunately, the small tools are poorly controlled, as the hit surface becomes so small. Usually it is better to start with slightly larger tools to switch to smaller ones when you have better technology.