A silversmith is a metalworker who crafts objects from silver. They use precision tools to cut, shape, and file sheets of silver to create jewelry, decorative teaspoons, and other items. Silversmiths can also work with other metals such as gold, copper, steel, and brass. The terms silversmith and goldsmith are not exact synonyms, as the techniques, training, history, and guilds are different. Silversmiths in medieval Europe and England formed guilds and transmitted their tools and techniques to new generations via the apprentice tradition. During most of their history, silversmiths used charcoal or coke fired forges, and lung-powered blow-pipes for soldering and annealing. Modern silversmiths commonly use gas burning torches as heat sources.

Silversmiths can use casting techniques to create knobs, handles, and feet for the hollowware they are making. After forming and casting, the various pieces may be assembled by soldering and riveting. Silversmiths may also work with copper and brass, especially when making practice pieces, due to those materials having similar working properties and being more affordable than silver.

Some silversmiths are involved in the fabrication of the metals, where items are typically cut and then constructed with differing connections, such as soldering or riveting. Others work in wax and then cast their pieces using a process called lost wax casting, where the wax original is evaporated in a burn-out process in a kiln. There are silversmiths who specialize in forging and forming, producing pieces that are typically made from a single piece of metal that has been hammered or formed under the pressure of percussion or squeezing from a press, such as a hydraulic press. There are silversmiths who only make jewelry and there are silversmiths who only make utensils.

In summary, a silversmith is a skilled artisan who works with silver and other metals to create a variety of objects, including jewelry, silverware, and decorative items.