Goldsmith, Silversmith, Metalsmith, Jewelry Artist, Artisan Jeweler, Bench Jeweler, or Jeweler: What's the Difference?

If you've ever shopped for handmade jewelry or taken a jewelry-making class, you've probably encountered a dizzying array of titles: goldsmith, silversmith, metalsmith, jewelry artist, artisan jeweler, bench jeweler, jeweler. Are these just different words for the same thing? Not exactly. Each title carries its own history, skill set, and meaning, and understanding the differences can help you appreciate the craft (and the crafter) behind every piece you wear.

Goldsmith

A goldsmith is one of the oldest and most prestigious titles in the craft world. Historically, goldsmiths were highly trained artisans who worked exclusively, or primarily, with gold. In medieval Europe, goldsmiths were so powerful they formed their own guilds, regulated trade, and even influenced banking (the word "goldsmith" appears in records dating back over a thousand years).

Today, a goldsmith is a metalworker who specializes in fabricating, forming, and finishing jewelry and objects in gold. Their skills typically include:

• Fabrication (cutting, sawing, filing, soldering)
• Stone setting (prong, bezel, pavé, channel)
• Engraving and surface finishing
• Casting and model-making

A goldsmith may work with other metals, but gold, with its unique properties of malleability, resistance to tarnish, and value, is their primary medium. Many fine jewelry designers and bench jewelers at high-end houses carry this title.

Silversmith

A silversmith works primarily with silver, and the title carries a similarly long history. Silversmiths have traditionally created not just jewelry, but also hollowware: think teapots, bowls, flatware, and decorative objects. This is an important distinction: silversmithing has historically encompassed a broader range of objects than goldsmithing, which tends to focus on jewelry and small adornments.

Skills specific to silversmithing often include:

• Raising and forming (shaping sheet metal into three-dimensional forms)
• Chasing and repoussé (pushing metal from the back to create relief designs)
• Planishing (smoothing hammered surfaces)
• Soldering and fabrication

A silversmith who makes jewelry is sometimes called a silver jeweler, but many silversmiths work on a larger scale, creating vessels, sculptures, and functional objects. Sterling silver (92.5% pure silver) is the most common working material.

Metalsmith

Metalsmith is the broadest of these titles. A metalsmith works with metal, any metal, and may create jewelry, sculpture, functional objects, or architectural elements. The term doesn't specify a particular metal or even a particular type of object.

In the contemporary craft world, "metalsmith" is often used by artists who:

• Work across multiple metals (copper, brass, bronze, steel, gold, silver, titanium)
• Combine metalworking with other materials (wood, resin, fiber, found objects)
• Approach their work from a fine art or conceptual perspective
• Don't want to be limited by a single material designation

Many university-trained jewelry and metals artists prefer "metalsmith" because it reflects the breadth of their practice. If someone calls themselves a metalsmith, expect versatility and likely a strong foundation in both traditional and experimental techniques.

Jewelry Artist

The title "jewelry artist" emphasizes the artistic and conceptual dimension of the work. A jewelry artist may or may not have traditional bench skills; what sets them apart is that their primary focus is on jewelry as a form of artistic expression.

Jewelry artists often:

• Work in non-traditional materials (paper, fabric, plastic, found objects, mixed media)
• Create one-of-a-kind or limited-edition pieces
• Exhibit in galleries alongside fine art
• Approach each piece as a statement or exploration of an idea

The contemporary jewelry movement (sometimes called "art jewelry" or "studio jewelry") has elevated this title significantly since the mid-20th century. A jewelry artist's work may be wearable, or it may challenge the very definition of what jewelry is.

Artisan Jeweler

An artisan jeweler is someone who makes jewelry by hand, with an emphasis on craftsmanship, individuality, and the handmade process. The word "artisan" signals that the work is not mass-produced; each piece is made with care, skill, and personal attention.

Artisan jewelers typically:

• Work in small batches or one-of-a-kind pieces
• Use traditional hand techniques alongside modern tools
• Source materials thoughtfully (ethically mined metals, recycled gold, conflict-free stones)
• Have a distinct personal style or aesthetic

This title is common among independent makers, small studio owners, and craft fair vendors. It's less about a specific material or technique and more about the philosophy of making: slow, intentional, handcrafted work.

Bench Jeweler

A bench jeweler is a skilled craftsperson who works at a jeweler's bench, the specialized workstation equipped with tools for sawing, filing, soldering, setting stones, and finishing metal. The title is defined less by what they create and more by how they work: hands-on, at the bench, with precision and technical expertise.

Bench jewelers are the backbone of the jewelry industry. They may work in:

• Retail jewelry stores (repairs, resizing, custom work)
• Fine jewelry manufacturing (production and finishing)
• Custom design studios (fabricating pieces from a designer's vision)
• Their own independent studios

Core bench jeweler skills include:

• Soldering and fabrication
• Stone setting (prong, bezel, channel, pavé, and more)
• Sizing rings and repairing broken pieces
• Polishing and finishing
• Reading and executing technical drawings or CAD renderings

Many goldsmiths, silversmiths, and artisan jewelers are also bench jewelers; the bench is simply where the hands-on work happens. If you need a repair, a custom piece built to spec, or a stone reset, a bench jeweler is your person.

Jeweler

"Jeweler" is the most general of all these titles. A jeweler is someone who works with jewelry, but that could mean many things:

• A bench jeweler repairs, resizes, and fabricates jewelry at a workbench
• A retail jeweler sells jewelry (and may or may not make it)
• A production jeweler works in a manufacturing setting, often specializing in one part of the process (casting, setting, polishing)
• A custom jeweler designs and creates pieces to client specifications

The title "jeweler" doesn't tell you much about how the work is made or what materials are used; it simply indicates that jewelry is the focus. It's the umbrella term under which all the others can fit.

So, Which Title Is Right?

The truth is, many makers wear more than one of these hats. A goldsmith might also consider herself a jewelry artist. An artisan jeweler might be a trained metalsmith. These titles are not mutually exclusive; they're lenses that highlight different aspects of a maker's practice, training, and values.

Why It Matters to You

When you're shopping for jewelry, especially handmade or custom pieces, understanding these titles helps you ask better questions and find the right maker for what you need. Looking for a one-of-a-kind engagement ring in 18k gold? Seek out a goldsmith. Want a bold, sculptural statement piece that pushes boundaries? Look for a jewelry artist or metalsmith. Need a repair or resize? Any skilled bench jeweler can help.

At B Golden Jewelry School, we believe that understanding the craft behind the jewelry makes every piece more meaningful. Whether you're a collector, a student, or simply someone who loves beautiful things, knowing the language of the craft connects you more deeply to the makers and the making.

Want to learn these skills yourself? Explore our classes and workshops; we'd love to teach you.