Silversmith & Metal Tools

by Jeffrey Joyner, Demand Media

Silversmiths, platinum smiths, goldsmiths and other workers in precious metals create jewelry, household items and other products. Some specialize in one metal or type of item, while others may work with a variety of metals or create different types of products. Smiths may also repair items or rework vintage jewelry. The job requires a variety of tools, many of which are scaled to accommodate even the most intricate details.

Welding Tools

Silversmiths and other precious metal smiths must sometimes join pieces to repair or create an article. Depending on the object and the metal, they might use soldering irons or small gas torches. Lasers are sometimes used to join metals or create intricate designs. Lasers can also be used for engraving, or the smith can use an engraving tool to mark items manually.


Metal smiths use a variety of molds in their work. They might receive metal ingots that are pure, but the jewelry may require an alloy. For example, pure gold is 24 karat, but gold jewelry is most often 10 to 18 karat, depending on the amount of other metals mixed with it. After heating the ingots and mixing the alloy, the material is poured into molds to create ingots that the smiths use to create items. For some jobs, the smith must then melt these ingots and pour the material into molds to create the finished product.

Drills, Files and Saws

Creating intricate designs and piercings in metal can be labor-intensive. For example, a ring with an intricate cutwork pattern requires the use of a drill or saw to create each open area. Smiths also remodel old pieces to create modern designs, and they often need to cut the metal so that it can be reshaped. They use files to smooth the metal, such as where two edges meet or around a pierced design, or band saws to trim sharp edges from larger pieces.

Miscellaneous Tools

A jeweler’s magnifying eyepiece, called a loupe, helps smiths see the details of the object on which they are working. Finished items typically require polishing, either with a polishing wheel or by hand, using a special polishing cloth. Smiths use jigs to align and hold parts while they solder or weld them together. They may use ovens to soften metal objects, such as teapots or trays, for reworking. A jeweler’s scale allows smiths to accurately weigh items and materials. Smiths use hammers to remove dents in items or to strike patterns. Pliers in various sizes can be used to straighten damaged items or shape new ones. A smith may need to use a router to create grooves for joining pieces. Lathes are sometimes used to shape and finish items.

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