Guides
How to lay out and stamp a repeat pattern on silver
Stamp a repeat pattern on silver with a scaled drawing, indexed datums, matched samples, sound tools, stable support, controlled strikes, staged checks, and records.
SeeTheBee / PixabayRules
How Santa Fe and Tucson markets apply the Indian Arts and Crafts Act to silver
Silver craft sellers in Santa Fe and Tucson must follow the Indian Arts and Crafts Act when they offer Navajo, Zuni or Hopi silver work to buyers.
Reviews
Sourcing sterling silver and tools in the US from Rio Grande and regional refiners
Silver craft buying in the US runs through Rio Grande, Indian Jewelers Supply and refiners, with sheet, wire and grain minimums that shape small-shop orders.
Rules
How US sales tax nexus rules affect silversmiths selling at craft fairs
Silver craft sellers face US sales tax nexus rules that vary by state, plus marketplace facilitator laws and IRS Schedule C reporting for craft fair income.
Rules
What must you stamp on silver under the FTC Jewelry Guides and US hallmarking?
This silver guide explains FTC Jewelry Guides labeling rules for sterling, fine silver and silver plate, quality marks, fineness stamps and origin marking.
Guides
How humidity affects silver soldering and storage in US regions
This silver guide explains how humidity drives tarnish and flux behavior in coastal, desert and northern US studios, plus casting, dehumidifier and storage steps.
Rules
Importing silver into the US, CBP rules and duty on precious metals
This silver guide covers CBP entry procedures, duty rates on precious metals, documentation, and marking rules for importing silver into the US.
Guides
Silver surface decoration guide: texture, stamps, chasing, engraving, and control
Silver surface decoration guide to texture, stamping, chasing, repousse, engraving, layout, support, trial samples, depth control, safety, and inspection.
Features
Forming a tapered silver cuff from measured stock case
Tapered silver cuff case using a measured blank, section map, staged forging and bending, controlled annealing, released-shape checks, and final records.
Features
Diagnosing a failed sterling-silver box seam case
Failed silver box seam case using intake records, defect maps, fit and heat evidence, measured rework limits, coupon trials, inspection criteria, and prevention.
Features
Correcting a pierced silver pattern without losing symmetry case
Pierced silver correction case using datums, paired measures, defect mapping, filing limits, structural checks, before-and-after records, and a clear stop decision.
Features
Tracing an inherited silver object from mark to material case
Inherited silver object case on preserving provenance, documenting marks and construction, selecting tests, reporting material findings, and separating value.
Features
Planning a traceable sterling-silver pendant project case
Sterling-silver pendant project case tracing design, stock, operations, workshop controls, measurements, test pieces, defects, corrections, inspection, and limits.
Rules
Silver forming problems: cracks, wrinkles, springback and tool marks
Silver forming problems guide for cracks, wrinkles, springback, uneven thickness, dents, tool marks, root-cause evidence, correction limits, and rejection.
Rules
Silver soldering problems: solder that will not flow, flooded joints and firestain
Silver soldering problems guide for no-flow filler, flooded seams, pits, firestain, melted edges, shifted joints, contamination, residues, trials, and rework limits.
Rules
Jeweler's saw problems: broken blades, wandering cuts, seized corners and burrs
Jeweler's saw problems guide for broken blades, wandering lines, binding corners, burrs, distorted sheet, rough filing, lost dimensions, and repeatable corrections.
Rules
Firestain, porosity, contamination, mixed alloys, and misleading marks
Silver problems guide for diagnosing firestain, porosity, contaminated stock, mixed alloys, plated surfaces, and misleading marks before repair or remelting.
Rules
Silversmithing workmanship problems: poor fit, distorted metal and heat damage
Silversmithing workmanship problems diagnosed through fit, distortion, scratches, heat history, lost dimensions, controlled corrections, and stop points.
Guides
How to anneal and form a silver band in controlled stages
Anneal and form a silver band using documented stock, measured layout, alloy-specific heat, safe cooling, staged mandrel work, springback checks, and inspection.
Reviews
Fine silver, sterling silver, Argentium-type alloys, and silver plate compared
Fine silver, sterling, Argentium-type alloys, and silver plate compared by fineness, construction, workability, heat response, repair, finish, and disclosure.
Maintenance
First silversmithing bench, tool, and safety checklist
Silversmithing bench checklist for layout, lighting, hand tools, rotating equipment, heat, chemicals, ventilation, protective equipment, housekeeping, and records.
Maintenance
Silver forming checklist: hammer, stake, annealing, measurement and surface control
Silver forming checklist for stock records, hammer and stake condition, support, posture, annealing, staged measurements, surface protection, and release.
Reviews
Hard, medium, easy, and extra-easy silver solder compared
Hard, medium, easy, and extra-easy silver solder compared by supplier range, composition, color, flow, joint sequence, heat margin, strength, finishing, and records.
Guides
How to identify and document an unknown silver-colored metal
Unknown silver-colored metal identification using provenance, marks, construction, condition, dimensions, testing limits, professional analysis, and clear records.
Reviews
Jeweler's saw, snips, disc cutter, and powered cutting methods compared
Jeweler's saw, snips, disc cutters, and powered methods compared by geometry, stock limits, edge condition, distortion, setup, waste, repeatability, and safety.
Guides
How to pierce a clean interior shape in sheet silver
Pierce a clean interior shape in sheet silver with stable layout, a safe starter hole, correct blade setup, supported cutting, controlled turns, and measured filing.
Guides
How to plan a first silver workshop project
First silver workshop project plan covering scope, drawing, stock, tools, training, hazards, process order, test pieces, measurements, inspection, and records.
Guides
How to prepare and solder a controlled silver seam
Solder a controlled silver seam with verified stock, close fit, clean surfaces, measured filler, suitable flux, planned heat, local exhaust, cleanup, and inspection.
Reviews
Raising, sinking, forging, bending, and die forming compared
Silver forming methods compared by metal movement, tooling, stock limits, section change, surface effects, repeatability, measurement, and shop safety.
Maintenance
Jeweler's saw checklist: frame, blade, bench pin, layout and cut quality
Jeweler's saw checklist for frame condition, blade choice and tension, bench-pin support, body position, layout, starter holes, cut control, filing, and cleanup.
Guides
Silver alloys guide: fineness, composition, properties, marks, and testing
Silver alloys guide to fineness, sterling and fine silver, alloy additions, plating, hallmarks, supplier records, testing limits, workshop behavior, and disclosure.
Guides
Silver forming guide: hammers, stakes, mandrels, annealing, and shape control
Silver forming guide to hammers, supports, bending, forging, sinking, raising, work hardening, annealing, measurement, surface control, safety, and records.
Guides
Silver sawing and piercing guide: layout, blades, support, turns, and cleanup
Silver sawing and piercing guide covering layout, blade choice, tension, bench-pin support, starter holes, controlled turns, filing, measurement, and safe cleanup.
Guides
Silver soldering guide: joints, solder, flux, heat, ventilation, and cleanup
Silver soldering guide to joint fit, filler choice, flux, heat control, torch checks, local exhaust, fire prevention, cooling, pickle, cleanup, and inspection.
Maintenance
Silver stock, hallmark, supplier, and batch-record checklist
Silver stock checklist for supplier identity, alloy claims, hallmarks, batch details, dimensions, process tests, scrap control, and product disclosure.
Reviews
Silversmith, goldsmith, jeweler, and metalsmith work compared
Metalwork roles compared by object scale, material, forming, joining, stone work, repair, design, training, workshop equipment, and professional overlap.
Guides
Silversmithing foundations guide: design, metal, tools, sequence, and records
Silversmithing foundations guide to project design, silver stock, hand tools, forming, joining, finishing, measurement, safety controls, and workshop records.
Maintenance
Torch, fuel, joint, flux, solder, and fire-safety checklist
Silver soldering checklist for trained torch use, fuel and hose checks, joint fit, filler and flux records, exhaust, combustibles, hot work, cleanup, and release.
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Features
Setting up a silver studio in Albuquerque or Santa Fe, suppliers and markets compared
Silver craft studio setup in New Mexico: compare Albuquerque silversmith supplies and guilds with Santa Fe galleries, tourist sales, gross receipts tax and SBA help.
Features
New York City jewelry district and Providence, two US silver manufacturing ecosystems compared
Silver craft in the US splits between Manhattan's 47th Street casting shops and Providence's historic jewelry manufacturing base, with different minimums.
Rules
OSHA ventilation rules for a home silver studio and what they require
Silver craft home studios face OSHA ventilation rules: exposure limits, bench hoods, cadmium and silica controls, respirators, and recordkeeping.
Reviews
Pricing silver for California and Texas craft fairs, booth fees, sales tax, and card processing
Silver craft pricing for California and Texas craft fairs: booth fees, sales tax, card processing, and American Craft Council show economics.
Rules
How Santa Fe and Tucson markets apply the Indian Arts and Crafts Act to silver
Silver craft sellers in Santa Fe and Tucson must follow the Indian Arts and Crafts Act when they offer Navajo, Zuni or Hopi silver work to buyers.
Reviews
Sourcing sterling silver and tools in the US from Rio Grande and regional refiners
Silver craft buying in the US runs through Rio Grande, Indian Jewelers Supply and refiners, with sheet, wire and grain minimums that shape small-shop orders.
Latest from Silver & Craft
Guides
How to lay out and stamp a repeat pattern on silver
Stamp a repeat pattern on silver with a scaled drawing, indexed datums, matched samples, sound tools, stable support, controlled strikes, staged checks, and records.
Features
Setting up a silver studio in Albuquerque or Santa Fe, suppliers and markets compared
Silver craft studio setup in New Mexico: compare Albuquerque silversmith supplies and guilds with Santa Fe galleries, tourist sales, gross receipts tax and SBA help.
Features
New York City jewelry district and Providence, two US silver manufacturing ecosystems compared
Silver craft in the US splits between Manhattan's 47th Street casting shops and Providence's historic jewelry manufacturing base, with different minimums.
Rules
OSHA ventilation rules for a home silver studio and what they require
Silver craft home studios face OSHA ventilation rules: exposure limits, bench hoods, cadmium and silica controls, respirators, and recordkeeping.