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

Silversmith, goldsmith, jeweller. You've probably heard these terms before, maybe even when looking for a special piece on Boutee! But have you ever stopped to think about what each one really means? Is a goldsmith just a silversmith who prefers a different colour palette? And where does a 'jeweller' fit into all of this?

It's a common point of confusion, but understanding these roles opens up a deeper appreciation for the incredible skill involved. And it's a conversation that's become especially timely. Recently, the UK’s silver allied trades – the very bedrock of many of these crafts – were officially added to the Heritage Crafts Red List of Endangered Crafts for the first time.

The Silversmith

A Silversmith is, traditionally, a craftsperson who primarily works with silver to create larger, often functional, objects. Think beyond rings and necklaces to:

• Holloware like teapots, coffee pots, bowls, vases, and jugs.

• Flatware such as spoons, forks, knives (though often collaborating with cutlers).

• Decorative Pieces including candle holders, trophies, and sculptures.

Key Skills & Focus:

• Forming & Shaping. Silversmiths are masters of manipulating sheet metal, often using techniques like hammering (raising, planishing), spinning, and casting to create three-dimensional forms.

• Soldering & Construction. Joining large pieces seamlessly.

• Finishing. Polishing and applying various surface textures.

Many makers begin their journey with silversmithing. Silver is often a more accessible metal for learning foundational techniques due to its workability and cost. Consequently, many individuals with silversmithing qualifications or initial training will go on to apply these skills to working with gold and other precious metals, seamlessly transitioning into creating fine jewellery. While their title might be "silversmith," their skillset often extends much further.

The Goldsmith

A Goldsmith traditionally works with gold, but the term has broadened to include other precious metals like platinum and palladium. Their focus is typically on smaller, more intricate items, especially jewellery.

Key Skills & Focus:

• Intricate Detail: Goldsmiths excel at creating fine, detailed work – think engagement rings, necklaces, and earrings.

• Diverse Techniques: They employ a vast array of skills including:

  • Fabrication. Sawing, filing, soldering.

  • Stone Setting. Securely and beautifully setting gemstones.

  • Casting. Often using lost-wax casting for complex designs.

  • Engraving & Chasing. Adding decorative patterns.

  • Wire Work. Creating chains and intricate wire details.

• Alloying. Understanding how to mix gold with other metals to achieve different carats and colours.

Just as silversmiths often branch out, skilled goldsmiths are typically adept at working with a range of precious metals. It's common for a goldsmith to be equally comfortable crafting a delicate piece in platinum or creating a bold design in silver, applying their refined techniques across the metallic spectrum.

The Jeweller

A Jeweller is a broader term encompassing anyone who designs, makes, sells, or repairs jewellery. This can include:

• Designers, who conceptualising pieces.

• Bench Jewellers, who physically make and repair jewellery (this is where goldsmiths and silversmiths who make jewellery fit).

• Gemmologists, who are experts in gemstones.

• Retailers, who sell jewellery.

• Assemblers, who might put together pre-made components.

So, a goldsmith or a silversmith who creates wearable art is a jeweller. However, not all jewellers are goldsmiths or silversmiths. Someone might be a jeweller who specialises in beadwork, wire wrapping with non-precious metals, or assembling components, without necessarily having the extensive metal forming or fabrication skills of a traditional smith.

The Overlap & The Fluidity of Craft
It's important to reiterate the significant overlap and fluidity between these roles. Many artisans don't fit neatly into one box. A "silversmith" by training might spend most of their time creating gold engagement rings. A "goldsmith" might take on a commission for a stunning silver centrepiece. The foundational skills are often transferable, and the passion for working with metal is the common thread. The titles often reflect a primary specialism or the historical root of their training, rather than a rigid limitation on the metals they use.

Why Does This Distinction Matter Now? The Endangered Craft Crisis

In May 2025, the UK’s silver allied trades were officially added to the Heritage Crafts Red List of Endangered Crafts for the first time. Techniques honed over centuries, like lost wax casting, wire drawing, and buffing, are now critically endangered due to a lack of training pathways and dwindling awareness.

The news from the Heritage Crafts Red List is a wake-up call. The "silver allied trades" – those specialist skills often associated with silversmithing but also crucial to goldsmithing and fine jewellery making – are at risk. This includes:

• Wire Drawing. Creating wires of various thicknesses.

• Buffing & Polishing. Achieving that perfect finish.

• Lost Wax Casting. A method for creating complex shapes.

• Chasing & Repoussé. Creating raised and indented patterns in metal.

• Enamelling. Fusing glass to metal for colour.

• Engraving. Incising designs into metal.

What Can We Do? Championing British Artisans

As a platform dedicated to hand-crafted jewellery, we believe in the power and artistry of skilled individuals across the UK. Here’s how you can help:

1. Appreciate the Craft: Understanding the skill, time, and dedication that goes into a handcrafted piece enriches your appreciation for it.

2. Ask Questions: When buying, inquire about how a piece was made. Is it hand-forged, cast, hand-finished? Who is the maker and what's their background?

3. Support Independent Makers: By choosing pieces from silversmiths, goldsmiths, and skilled jewellers (whether on Boutee or not!), you directly contribute to keeping these skills alive, regardless of the primary metal they're working with for a particular piece.

4. Value Quality Over Quantity: A well-made piece from a skilled artisan can last a lifetime and become a future heirloom.

5. Spread the Word: Share this information. The more people understand the value and vulnerability of these crafts, the greater the chance of their revival.

The lines between silversmith, goldsmith, and jeweller have always been fluid—boundaries crossed by artists following their creative vision rather than rigid definitions. What remains constant is their dedication to craft, the patience to perfect techniques, and the passion to create something lasting.

As these traditional skills face unprecedented challenges, each handcrafted piece takes on new significance. If you choose work from skilled artisans, you're helping preserve centuries of knowledge. Whether it's on Boutee, another marketplace, the High Street or a craft market, if you can afford to do so, it's a wonderful thing to do.