20/08/2026
Hammering out this Princess cut Diamond ring in yellow and white Gold. Hammers are used in most parts of hand making jewellery with various types used and each having a specific purpose but with some crossover. Gold is a wonderfully malleable material and is well suited to being forged into shape and is generally cooperative, a bigger hammer can always be used to make it more cooperative though. You can steer the piece of gold you’re working with by hammering it against or over a more solid material like a steel bench block, heavier hits or more of them on the side you need to stretch to either straighten or curve the Gold as needed. It generally is always worked cold as attempting to hammer or bend it when it’s glowing hot will likely result in it crumbling, so almost the opposite of working with iron or steel. Gold will work harden at different rates depending on the alloy used but most of the time will be annealed/softened again with heating and then either allowing it to air cool, cooling placed on a steel bench block or quenching in either acid, methylated spirits or water or sometimes even a combination of a couple of the above. All depends on the material, what it’s been through and what you’re about to do next with it. Hope you enjoy the video:) *video not for educational purposes;)
