Goldsmith... Silversmith... Jeweller... What's the Difference?!

Goldsmith vs Silversmith vs Jeweller: What’s the Difference, Really?

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering “Do I need a goldsmith or a jeweller?” while browsing engagement rings, you’re not alone. The terms goldsmith, silversmith, and jeweller are often used interchangeably — even by people in the industry — but they don’t all mean the same thing.

Understanding the difference doesn’t just make you sound knowledgeable at dinner parties. It helps you appreciate the skill behind a handcrafted piece, and it can genuinely help you choose the right maker for your ring.

It’s also more relevant than ever. In 2025, the UK’s silver allied trades were officially added to the Heritage Crafts Red List of Endangered Crafts , highlighting just how fragile some of these centuries-old skills have become.

So, let’s break it down properly.

What does a silversmith actually do?

A silversmith traditionally works with silver sheet and wire to create larger, often functional objects — not just jewellery.

Typical silversmith pieces include:

• Hollowware like teapots, bowls, jugs and vases
• Flatware such as spoons and forks (often alongside specialist cutlers)
• Decorative objects like candlesticks, trophies and sculptural pieces

Their core skills centre on forming metal, rather than stone setting. Techniques often include raising, planishing, spinning, soldering and finishing — all physically demanding, highly skilled processes.

Silver is also one of the most common training metals. Because it’s more forgiving and accessible than gold, many craftspeople begin as silversmiths before going on to work in gold, platinum or fine jewellery. So when you see someone described as a silversmith, it doesn’t mean they only work in silver — just that this is where their foundation lies.

Is a goldsmith just someone who works with gold?

In short: yes — but with nuance.

A goldsmith traditionally works with gold, but today the term usually includes other precious metals such as platinum and palladium. Goldsmiths tend to focus on smaller, more intricate objects, especially jewellery.

Key goldsmith skills include:

• Fabrication (sawing, filing, soldering)
• Stone setting
• Lost-wax casting
• Engraving, chasing and decorative detailing
• Alloying metals to achieve different gold colours and carats

This is the craft most people associate with bespoke engagement rings. A goldsmith is typically the person at the bench turning sketches into a finished ring — shaping metal, setting stones, and finishing everything by hand.

If you’re curious about how metals affect both design and budget, Boutee’s guide to what metal is best for your engagement ring is a helpful place to start.

So what exactly is a jeweller?

This is where things get broader.

A jeweller is an umbrella term for anyone who designs, makes, repairs, studies or sells jewellery. That can include:

• Goldsmiths and silversmiths who make jewellery
• Bench jewellers specialising in repairs and resizing
• Jewellery designers who don’t work at the bench
• Gemmologists who specialise in stones
• Retail jewellers who sell finished pieces

In other words: All goldsmiths and silversmiths who make jewellery are jewellers — but not all jewellers are goldsmiths or silversmiths.

Someone can be a jeweller without ever forming metal from scratch. That’s not a bad thing — just a different role. The key is understanding who actually makes the piece when craftsmanship matters to you.

How do these roles overlap in real life?

In practice, the boundaries are wonderfully blurred.

A silversmith might spend most of their time making gold engagement rings. A goldsmith may happily take on a large silver commission. Skills transfer across metals, and titles often reflect training background, not strict limitations.

What matters far more than the label is:

• what the maker actually does at the bench
• the techniques they use
• the quality of their finish
• and their experience with the kind of piece you want

This fluidity is part of what makes handcrafted jewellery so personal — and so hard to replicate at scale.

What’s the simplest way to compare a silversmith, goldsmith and jeweller?

Why are these traditional jewellery skills now endangered?

In 2025, silver allied trades were added to the Heritage Crafts Red List for the first time. This includes specialist skills that underpin both silversmithing and fine jewellery making, such as:

• Wire drawing
• Buffing and polishing
• Lost-wax casting
• Chasing and repoussé
• Enamelling
• Engraving

Many of these techniques are still done entirely by hand and are at risk due to shrinking training pathways and low public awareness.

Without skilled makers practising and passing them on, these crafts simply disappear.

What can buyers actually do to support British jewellery craft?

You don’t need to commission a museum piece to make a difference.

Here’s what genuinely helps:

• Ask questions about how a piece was made
• Choose independent makers where possible
• Value craftsmanship over quantity
• Learn the basics, so you know what you’re paying for

Supporting skilled goldsmiths and silversmiths keeps these traditions alive — whether you’re buying through Boutee, the High Street, or a local craft fair.

If you’re exploring bespoke for the first time, Boutee’s guide to buying an engagement ring on a budget is a reassuring read.

So… which one should you look for when buying an engagement ring?

If you want a bespoke engagement ring, you’re usually looking for:

• a goldsmith or
• a bench jeweller with goldsmithing skills

The title matters less than the craft. What counts is that the person making your ring understands metal, stone setting, proportion — and listens to what you want.

That’s exactly why Boutee exists: to help you find the right maker, not just a category.

FAQ

Is a goldsmith the same as a jeweller?

Not exactly — a goldsmith is a type of jeweller who specialises in making fine jewellery from precious metals, but not all jewellers are goldsmiths.

Do silversmiths only work with silver?

No — many silversmiths are trained in foundational metalworking skills and often go on to work with gold, platinum and fine jewellery.

Who should make a bespoke engagement ring?

A goldsmith or a bench jeweller with goldsmithing skills is usually best for bespoke engagement rings, as they work directly with precious metals and stone setting.

Why are silversmithing and jewellery skills considered endangered in the UK?

Many traditional techniques are at risk due to fewer training routes and declining awareness, which led to silver allied trades being added to the Heritage Crafts Red List.

Does the title matter more than the skill?

No — the maker’s experience, techniques and craftsmanship matter far more than whether they call themselves a goldsmith, silversmith or jeweller.