Metal

• Silver is a metal characterized as being quite ductile and malleable. Fine silver, or pure silver, is quite soft and cannot be used for ordinary objects. To make it more useful, copper is usually added to make the silver harder. When the ratio of silver and copper is at 925:75, the resulting alloy is called sterling silver. Sterling silver is safe enough to be used to contain food, although it is more prone to tarnishing.
  
  

Tools

• Hammers are generally used to pound the silver into the desired shape. One example is an embossing hammer, which can be used to create designs on the silver by elevating certain portions on its surface. Another kind of hammer often used is the planishing hammer. It is for the purpose of smoothing out and finishing the surfaces of the silver object. Other tools used in silversmithing include blocks, anvils and stakes, which are used to hold the silver in place as it is being hammered.
  
  

Techniques

• The process of silversmithing starts with the cutting of the silver to create a basic pattern. To accomplish this, a piercing saw is used. A hole is drilled into the silver for the blade of the saw to be positioned and moved to create curves or corners. If pieces of silver need to be joined together, a technique called soldering is implemented. This requires the melting of the metal through the use of a blow torch. Repeated handling of the silver can result in it becoming more brittle. To remedy this, annealing is used to make the silver easier to work with. In annealing, the silver is heated to a temperature right before its melting point and then immediately cooled in cold water.
  
  

Finishing

• To keep the silver's trademark luster, several processes are used. Silver that has been treated by fire tends to oxidize so there is a need for pickling--or the submersion of the metal in an acid bath. This removes the discoloration of the silver caused by the fire. The most common technique in silversmithing is called polishing, where the object is rubbed with rough and fine papers to get rid of the tool marks. The object can also be polished using a polishing mop or polishing wheel.
  
  

Safety

• Silversmithing requires certain safety habits to prevent injury. Because the processes can involve fire, it is best to keep a fire extinguisher handy in case there is an emergency. Wear protective clothing such as sturdy work clothes and goggles. Finally, silversmithing requires proper ventilation to help avoid the inhalation of debris and fumes from the chemicals.