Goldsmith, Silversmith, Jeweller. What are YOU???

[MuranoSilver]

You might think we'd know this seemingly simple answer but it can cause some heated debate
among the most placid of folks...

I guess if you make or sell your jewellery / skills in that field then you're a Jeweller,
but what else are you and is that how you define yourself?

For example as I make precious metal jewellery, I'm a GOLDSMITH even if I mainly work in silver.
The dictionary defines a goldsmith, as "any person who makes small objects of precious metals,
usually for personal adornment".

A SILVERSMITH according to the dictionary is a person who works on larger hollowware & flatware;
things like candle-holders, knifes, forks, spoons, plates etc....

Given that I rarely work with gold, "goldsmith" doesn't really feel appropriate, however impressive it might
sound on business cards! I previously thought a better term for me was either "metalsmith" or "silversmith"
but I learnt that neither of those are right at all!

So, I have decided I'm an Artisan Jeweller. Artisan because it reflects the creativity I put
into my pieces and "jeweller" because I can't think of anything else!!

Nic x

[AlexandraBuckle]

I think of myself as a jewellery designer/maker - but it sounds a bit clunky so I don't describe myself as that.

I've often had this dilemna. What am I?

[Charlotte]

I stopped calling myself a Jeweller because people always assumed I worked with beads for some reason, so I tend to call myself a silversmith now... although I'm starting to work with gold, I don't have the right to call myself a goldsmith yet

The worst was when I was at uni doing 'Design Crafts' and people used to think I made quilts and table decorations

[SilverByRosie]

I would say I'm a jewellery maker. Silversmith doesn't sit right as I don't do much "smithing", i.e. soldering and heating, and I don't always use silver. I use silver, copper, brass, aluminium. Pretty much anything I can bend

Jeweller sounds too professional for me, as this is really just a hobby for me that occasionally gets me a bit of spending money. It also puts me more in mind of the high street jewellers like H Samuels etc.

I don't think my skills are good enough to call myself an artisan!

[The Bijou Dragon]

I always presumed Silversmith but seem to refer to myself most often as a Jeweller as it covers the most sins. H.Samuel is a jewellers and they have all kinds of things for sale.

I might however join you in the Artisan Jeweller category as that sounds rather impressive

[julie]

Jewellery Technician maybe

[Milomade]

I call myself a designer/artist as I do lots of things that involve design and art. I don't class myself as a silversmith or a goldsmith at all and I don't want to pigeon myself into being a jeweller either as I make other things besides jewellery...it's complicated bing multi faceted!

[Di Sandland]

How you label yourself is extremely important, isn't it. I retired from midwifery 3 years ago (health) and I have only just got over the bereavement of loosing my 'midwife' label (sad or what ).

I like artisan jeweller - I think it expresses the originality, artistry, and creativity that go into creating jewellery. So

love
Di
Artisan Jeweller

[Petal]

I would say I'm a jewellery maker. Silversmith doesn't sit right as I don't do much "smithing", i.e. soldering and heating, and I don't always use silver. I use silver, copper, brass, aluminium. Pretty much anything I can bend

Jeweller sounds too professional for me, as this is really just a hobby for me that occasionally gets me a bit of spending money. It also puts me more in mind of the high street jewellers like H Samuels etc.

I don't think my skills are good enough to call myself an artisan!

Like SilverBy Rosie, I have no idea what to call myself and haven't given myself a 'label' so far. I have had no tuition (yet) and have self taught all I know so far, although I'm planning on some short non-qualification course(s) soon. What's the Self Representing Artists Association like - I agree with their ethos of not copying designs and not using mass produced items, but am I right in thinking that this is an association for glass artists?

I'd like to join them, but feel I'd have to be trained with a qualification and wonder if anything exists for jewellery crafters?

Oh, I guess I'll just have to take a silversmithing course, then I can call myself an Artisan jeweller!!!

What do you think guys?

Jules
Beadworkers Guild Member

[bustagasket]

I am just a noob