Goldsmith

Goldsmiths are artisans who work with precious metals and gemstones, creating jewellery and luxury items from raw materials or, in many instances, smelting down existing items of precious metals for new items. Despite the name, Goldsmiths are as likely to work Gold as they are Silver, and can do so to a great quality. Due to their work that requires them to work with high-value items, not only does their expertise extend to the use of gemstones, but also other various processes of intricate metalwork. As such, the regulation and monopolies held by the various guilds of Goldsmiths are very extensive, being especially scrutinous in the purity and quality of their materials.
The primary methods used by Goldsmiths to work either Gold or Silver are forging with a hammer and casting. Items such as vessels or dishes are forged while jewellery and decoratives are generally being cast. When forging, the smith would hammer an ingot into sheet metal before then hammering it into the required shape. Annealing would be used (heating and cooling) to prevent hardening. The item can then be finished by planishing with specialist hammers and then polished. Casting entailed the employment of open mould casting, piece mould casting or lost-wax casting.
Every Goldsmith would require a heat source, likely in the form of an open charcoal fire, along with a pair of bellows. Crucibles, likely of clay, for the melting and refining of the metal, would also be crucial equipment. A collection of tools including an Anvil, an assortment of Hammers, Chisels, Files, Tongs, Engraving Tools, Punches and Moulds, a Burnishing Stone, Scales and Assaying tools. Some Goldsmiths may also have a drawplate for the production of wire and enamelling equipment.
Within the encompassing title of Goldsmith, there are many specialisations to which a practitioner of the trade may take up as their main service. Finers who specialised in the refining of the metal, goldbeater who made gold leaf, burnishers, gilders, spanglers, selers, jewellers and mazerers. It is of note that the Noblegeld of Goldsmiths within the city of Asjaer lists 32 separate specialist professions amongst their members.

Career

Payment & Reimbursement

20 - 60+ Kupar p/a

Operations

Provided Services

A Goldsmith may charge a customer for Silver at a price of 16 Pips per ounce, the same Silver enamelled at a price of 17 Pips per ounce. A Goldsmith may also provide the service of creating Gold or Silver leaf, either for further use or as a product, generally at a cost of 5 Pips per 100 3.5 square inch sheets with material provided or 20 Pips per 100 sheets for workmanship and material. As for Silver leaf, one can expect to be charged 1 Pip per 100 sheets for workmanship and material.

Type

Artisan