Silver is a very beautiful and valuable metal and has been used for decoration and trade since at least 700 BC. It has been used as a primary form of currency in many nations throughout history, and is a popular metal for jewelry and decoration in modern times.
In the past, silver was commonly used for household goods, such as candlesticks, cutlery, bowls and other tableware. Such items were often included in the dowry of highborn marriages in Europe and passed down through many generations. Many of these items are still lovely, often displayed in museums, as a testament to the skill of the original artisan. Usually only the wealthy could even dream of owning a silver item, because of its high value. Large deposits of silver discovered in the Americas in recent centuries have changed this and made silver products widely available.
The men who worked with valuable metals like silver and gold were highly trained, often through apprenticeship from a young age. The work required intelligence, skill, and strength. They formed professional guilds to protect their trade secrets and to protect themselves - in larger groups they were less likely to be defrauded by miserly noblemen or robbed by highwaymen.
Silver can be hammered into shape, cast in molds, extruded into wires, cut, pressed or stamped - the techniques available to a skilled silversmith are nearly limitless. Today, there are a number of specialized tools developed for working with silver. Several types of hammers and files, torches, anvils, cutting tools, an assortment of chemicals and polishing compounds - the list goes on. There are even more tools and techniques required to turn a piece of silver into a piece of jewelry - setting gems and making chains, for example, have their own set of tools. Silver is often worked with at room temperature (not over a fire like iron or steel), but it does need certain kinds of heat treatment to keep it from becoming brittle or in certain techniques like casting. Coins and other items with detailed designs, such as a belt buckle, are usually pressed in a mold to ensure that no details are lost.
Generally, modern silver items are made from sterling silver, which is a standardized alloy of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper. This makes the final product harder and more durable. Silver jewelry is often plated or "flashed" with pure silver or other precious metals to give the jewelry the desired finish. There are other alloys, such as Brittania silver and Argentium sterling, which have their own special properties, but they are less common.
Silver is still used in the creation of fine home goods and jewelry to this day. It is very popular in Western styles, especially in combination with leather and turquoise. It is also used in many awards and prizes such as medals, rodeo belt buckles, and commemorative coins. A skilled silversmith can "plate" silver over less valuable metals, such as steel or copper, to create a beautiful item at an even lower cost, making the luxury off line silver goods available to everyone.
Silver workers are no longer organized into guilds, but they are guided now by standardized raw-material prices and alloy formulas. These regulations also protect the consumer because he can trust that the sterling silver he purchases is the quality he expects. The men and women who create silver jewelry and other goods are continually practicing and honing their skills. The work of a master craftsman is the product of years of experience, and is truly a piece of art to be treasured.
As you can see, silversmithing has a long history and has undergone many changes since ancient times. Although it is no longer a product reserved only for the wealthy, it still requires many years of practice and experience to become a skilled silversmith. Professionals who create silver jewelry and other items bring invaluable expertise to their work.
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