Level 1 – 5 Days for 1 Week Silversmithing

Level 1: Introduction to Silver Metalsmithing

Duration: 5 Days (1 Week)
Skill Level: Beginner
Goal: Learn essential tools, techniques, and safety procedures while completing one finished silver jewelry piece.

Day 1 – Introduction & Foundations

Theme: Getting to Know Your Tools & Materials

• Welcome & Safety Orientation

  • Studio rules, personal protective equipment, safe handling of tools and torches.

• Tools Overview

  • Saws, pliers, hammers, files, bench pins, torches.

• Metals & Materials

  • Types of silver (sterling, fine), gauges, wire vs. sheet.

• Basic Marking & Measuring

  • Using calipers, rulers, and templates.

• Sawing Practice

  • How to load and use a jeweler’s saw.

• Hands-on Exercise: Cut simple shapes from copper sheet to practice control.

Day 2 – Shaping & Forming

Theme: Bringing Metal to Life

• Review of Day 1 Skills

• Annealing Techniques

  • How and why to soften metal with heat.

• Forming Tools & Methods

  • Dapping blocks, mandrels, and mallets.

• Filing & Sanding Basics

  • Removing sharp edges and refining shapes.

• Hands-on Exercise: Shape and texture a copper practice piece using hammers and stamps.

Day 3 – Joining Metals

Theme: The Art of Soldering

• Introduction to Soldering

  • Types of solder (easy, medium, hard) and when to use them.

  • Flux, pickle, and cleaning metals after soldering.

• Torch Skills

  • Flame control, heating evenly, avoiding overheating.

• Soldering Practice

  • Join copper or brass pieces before working on silver.

• Hands-on Exercise: Solder a basic silver ring band.

Day 4 – Refining & Assembly

Theme: From Rough to Refined

• Project Work: Continue silver ring or pendant.

• Shaping & Fitting

  • Ensuring proper sizing for rings.

• Filing & Sanding for Finish

  • Progression from coarse to fine abrasives.

• Surface Techniques

  • Polished, matte, brushed, or hammered finishes.

• Optional Decorative Work

  • Stamping, light texturing, or adding a bezel cup.

Day 5 – Finishing & Showcasing

Theme: The Final Touches

• Final Polishing

  • Polishing wheels, compounds, and hand-polishing techniques.

• Setting a Stone (Optional if time allows)

  • Bezel setting basics for a cabochon.

• Cleaning & Care

  • How to maintain silver jewelry.

• Mini Show & Tell

  • Students present their finished piece.

• Wrap-Up

  • Review key skills learned, Q&A, and resources for continuing practice.

Outcome:
By the end of the week, students will have:

• Learned core silversmithing techniques (sawing, filing, annealing, forming, soldering, finishing).

• Completed at least one finished sterling silver jewelry piece (typically a ring or pendant).

• Built confidence with tools, torch, and materials.