By Renée Newman
Many cultures have esteemed silver because of its malleability, ductility, and high lustre. Thanks to silver’s pliability, metalsmiths can create intricate jewellery like the Mexican filigree earrings in Figure 1.
It was not until the 1850s that Navajo artisans in North America began learning silversmithing techniques, drawing inspiration from Mexican silversmiths. Mexico, with its rich history of silver mining, has consistently been the world’s … Continue reading Unlocking silver’s secrets
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While most modern jewellery is cast in a mould, stamped by a machine, or formed from wire, a few innovative individuals have been creating pieces from a thin, flat sheet, or strip of metal.
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For many starting out in the craft of jewellery fabrication and goldsmithing, sterling silver (or 925 silver) serves as the jumping off point into the world of working with precious materials and metals. A large component of jewellery fabrication requires the skills of soldering, annealing, and torch techniques. While this can be intimidating, getting to know your torch and discovering how to work with sterling silver can be your best friend and, ultimately, one of the most useful tools at your work bench.
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Silver is cool—both in colour and in possibilities. This precious metal has its ups and downs, but, even in its ups, it continues to fit even the most modest budget.
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It often feels as though silver takes a back seat to gold, but this metal offers an elegant, stylish shimmer that never goes out of fashion.
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The spot price of gold hit $1390 an ounce on June 20, reaching the highest level it has seen in more than five years.
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