The Difference Between a Jeweller and a Goldsmith
TL;DR: A goldsmith is a craftsperson trained specifically in working precious metal by hand — forming, soldering, setting, and finishing. A jeweller is a broader term covering anyone in the trade, including retailers, designers, and gemmologists, who may or may not do hands-on metalwork themselves.
What a Goldsmith Actually Does
A goldsmith is trained in the physical craft of working precious metal — forming metal by hand or machine, soldering joints, setting stones, and finishing a piece to its final polish. It's a genuine hands-on trade, traditionally learned through years of apprenticeship, and the term applies to metalworking specifically regardless of which metal (gold, silver, platinum) is actually being worked.
What "Jeweller" Actually Covers
Jeweller is a much broader umbrella term, covering anyone working within the jewellery trade — retailers selling finished pieces, designers who conceive a piece without necessarily making it by hand, gemmologists who grade and assess stones, and goldsmiths themselves. A jeweller may or may not personally do hands-on metalwork; many run businesses that design and sell jewellery made by goldsmiths and other specialist craftspeople.
Why the Distinction Matters When Choosing Who to Commission From
Understanding this distinction is useful when researching a bespoke commission — a business calling itself a jeweller might handle every stage in-house with their own goldsmiths, or might design and manage a commission while the physical making happens through specialist partners. Neither model is inherently better; what matters is genuine craftsmanship and quality control at every stage, however the work is structured.
Other Related Trade Terms
Gemmologist — trained specifically in identifying and grading gemstones, a distinct skill from metalworking.
Setter — a specialist focused specifically on setting stones securely into a finished piece, sometimes a distinct role from general goldsmithing in larger workshops.
Silversmith — the equivalent term specifically for someone working in silver, historically a distinct trade from goldsmithing though the skills overlap considerably.
At À Vie Diamonds
Every commission is designed with you directly and crafted by experienced goldsmiths, with quality checked at every stage. Get in touch to discuss a commission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a jeweller the same as a goldsmith? Not exactly — goldsmith refers specifically to the hands-on craft of working precious metal, while jeweller is a broader term covering anyone in the trade, including those who don't do metalwork themselves.
Do all jewellers make their own jewellery? No — many jewellers design and manage commissions while the physical making is done by specialist goldsmiths, either in-house or through trusted partners.
Last reviewed: July 2026 · À Vie Diamonds