Editing Silversmith (section)

==Tools, materials and techniques==
[[File:T&T Hand-hammered dish.jpg|thumb|right|Dish made by hand-hammering]]
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*[[saw]] (jeweler's saw)
*[[snips]]
* flat file
* jewelers' files
* planishing [[hammer]]
* raising hammer
* cross-pein hammer
* ball-pein hammer
*[[anvil]]s
*[[wiktionary:stake|stakes]]
*[[swage block]]s
*[[riveting]]
*silver hard-[[solder]]
*[[Flux (metallurgy)|flux]]
**[[borax]]
**[[boric acid]]
*[[torch]] or [[Blowpipe (tool)|blow-pipe]]
*[[Pickling (metal)|pickle]] (dilute sulphuric acid or organic acids which are used to remove [[firescale]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Brain|first=Charles|title=Pickling Notes|url=http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/nenam/pickling-notes.htm|publisher=The Ganoksin Project|access-date=15 June 2013}}</ref>)
*[[buffing wheel]]s
*[[polishing]] compounds.
*[[chasing]]
*[[repoussé]]
*[[engraving]]
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Silversmiths saw or cut specific shapes from sterling and fine silver sheet metal and bar stock; they then use hammers to form the metal over anvils and stakes. Silver is hammered cold (at room temperature). As the metal is hammered, bent, and worked, it 'work-hardens'. [[Annealing (metallurgy)|Annealing]] is the heat-treatment used to make the metal soft again. If metal is work-hardened, and not annealed occasionally, the metal will crack and weaken the work.

Silversmiths can use [[casting]] techniques to create knobs, handles and feet for the hollowware they are making.

After forming and casting, the various pieces may be assembled by [[soldering]] and [[riveting.]]

During most of their history, silversmiths used [[charcoal]] or [[Coke (fuel)|coke]] fired [[forge]]s, and lung-powered [[Blowpipe (tool)|blow-pipe]]s for soldering and annealing. Modern silversmiths commonly use gas burning torches as heat sources. A newer method is [[laser beam welding]].

Silversmiths may also work with [[copper]] and [[brass]], especially when making practice pieces, due to those materials having similar working properties and being more affordable than silver.

[[File:Silver band.png|thumb|upright|right|Band made of silver]]