Techniques in Silver & Gold Jewellery

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I like to use different textures and materials and semi-precious stones.  Sterling is the usual silver, sometimes given more interest by fusing some gold pieces into the surface, or by reticulation, rolling, or brushing. 

My preference in gold is for red 18 carat, but yellow is bright and can be better.  9 carat gold is half the price of 18 carat and is often suitable.

Britannia silver is frequently a better alternative to Sterling - it resists tarnishing and takes a pattern very readily.  Being soft, however, it is not so good if the piece needs to be stiff.

All silver or gold pieces, except small ones, are hallmarked at the London Assay Office, (Goldsmiths Hall), normally by manual stamping but occasionally for large or special hallmarks, by laser.  Silver with gold decoration or plating has the silver hallmark. 

Fusing together a variety of small slivers of silver to make a single piece, perhaps with fragments of gold, can be very attractive, with each work guaranteed unique and with the charm of a certain degree of serendipity.

Rolling offers the opportunity for the silver or gold to take a pattern from nature - a leaf, for example - or a hand made pattern.

I use the London Assay Office for hall marking.