The Goldsmith – the Rich Heritage of Ancient Cultures
Art objects made from the precious metal gold were produced in many cultures in ancient times - even examples from the late Copper Age in the 5th millennium BC have been preserved. These were discovered in the Varna cemetery in northern Bulgaria and suggest that gold was already being processed in this prehistoric time.
The profession of goldsmith is therefore based on an extensive tradition.
The Story of the Goldsmith
Remarkable evidence of the high artistic and craft skills of the ancient goldsmiths has been handed down from the Etruscans in what is now Italy, the Thracians in the Balkans, the Germanic tribes, the Celts and the Egyptians. It is noteworthy that techniques were already being used in this period that are still used by modern goldsmiths.
In the European Middle Ages, goldsmiths belonged to their own guild, which was usually the most important and wealthy in the entire city. It was common for gold objects made by a goldsmith from a particular guild to be marked with that guild's special mark.
Goldsmiths often also worked as bankers and traded in the precious metal. Overall, the job title of goldsmith was used in a broader sense than it is today; the processing of silver was also part of the job description at that time.
The method of engraving , which was also carried out by the goldsmith, was developed in Germany around 1430.
The Goldsmith in Modern Times
In Germany, goldsmithing was officially declared a trade in 2004, for which no license is required. The job description includes shaping and designing jewelry from gold or other valuable metals such as platinum , as well as repair and processing work.
The goldsmith uses various processes to make the jewelry, such as melting, casting, rolling and forging. In principle, the goldsmith can choose between two different processes by which he can shape the precious metal into the desired form - pouring the heated raw material into a prefabricated mold or directly modeling the object.
Other areas of activity for goldsmiths include the production of alloys of the precious metal and the personal engraving of the finished pieces of jewelry.
To be able to practice the profession of goldsmith, you need to work very precisely and carefully with an eye for detail, because the production of jewellery is a matter of absolute precision.
Goldsmiths at RENÉSIM
At RENÉSIM, we rely on the craftsmanship and precise quality work of private goldsmiths to produce each individual piece of jewelry in the best quality. RENÉSIM only uses 18-carat gold alloys with a fine gold content of 75% and extremely fine platinum with a fineness of 95%.
jewelry collections
Precious Metals in the Lexicon
Alloys in the Lexicon
