When it comes to sterling silver jewellery, is it hammered, plain or both for you?
In our Noosa store we have clients in both camps -- and many that cross-over from time to time. Hammered (or beaten as it is also known) silver looks fabulous in summer, adding just that right touch of sparkle as you move in the sunlight.
Although the hammering technique has been used on silver for centuries, its use initially was primarily restricted to coins or objects such as bowls and platters, when the hammered designs used by each craftsman became a form of signature. It was not until the more recent International Arts and Crafts movement of the 1860s into the early 20th century, that the hammering effect was widely used in jewellery. This continued on through the art nouveau period where it was used to enhance the intricate designs that depicted branches, foliage and flowers on brooches, hair clips, lockets and rings.
Today, hammering can be both hand done as in many of the subtle works from Israeli silversmiths, or machine made using precast dies. There are advantages to both methods – in hand-made pieces, no two are the same and the hammering still forms a kind of signature for the silversmith. In die pressed pieces, the hammering is uniform across the piece and matching pieces such as earrings are perfectly formed.
At Jive we offer a mix of both, so next time you are looking to add a little sparkle to your jewellery wardrobe, give the hammered look a chance. We’ve got some fabulous new arrivals in store this month so check out New In Store, or enter the word hammered in the search box and all the options will come up!
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