A silversmith is a craftsman or artisan who primarily works with silver to create finished pieces. Silversmiths have existed for hundreds of years, and while they are less common in today’s world than in previous eras, their craftsmanship and work are still highly valued. Silversmithing takes years of training, and aspiring smiths frequently work as apprentices to older, more experienced craftsmen. A silversmith can pursue his or her craft as a hobby, a self-employed business, or as an employee of a larger corporation.
From silver flatware and tea sets to delicate jewelry and decorative sculpture, silversmithing lends itself to a wide range of objects. Different smiths may choose to specialize in a specific aspect of the manufacturing process, such as wax mold casting or etching designs onto an existing object. Some smiths specialize in all of the steps required to create a specific type of piece, such as turning a raw piece of silver ore into a delicately carved brooch or ring.
Although some art and design colleges offer degree courses in metalworking and decorative arts, becoming a silversmith is often a self-guided process. Silversmith guilds or networks exist in many areas, allowing aspiring smiths to locate potential teachers and begin an apprenticeship. Smiths can supplement their education attending guild-sponsored seminars or short classes on specific techniques, or they can try to learn the craft from books or online instructions. A traditional apprenticeship may last several years, after which a smith’s master may deem him or her competent to work independently and professionally.
A silversmith was a common artisan in any large town prior to the advent of factory mass production. Many modern smiths devote time to learning about their craft’s long and illustrious history, which includes legends like Paul Revere, a hero of the American Revolutionary War. Silversmiths can still have a lucrative career making custom pieces for clients or working for a large silver-producing company, such as a flatware designer, even though their services are less popular in the modern era.
A silversmith must be able to channel his or her artistic abilities into a marketable service as a freelance professional. Modern smiths may establish websites where examples of their work can be viewed or purchased, or they may open physical stores. Historic sites that welcome working craftsmen, such as colonial village recreations or Renaissance fairs, can provide steady work for smiths. Successful smiths may be able to accept students for a fee or find teaching positions at art and design schools.