Smyckning

Smyckning, or jewelry making, is the craft of designing and producing adornments worn on the body. It covers rings, bracelets, necklaces, brooches and pendants, as well as clasps and diadems. The discipline blends artistic design with metalworking, setting stones, and surface decoration, and spans traditional handmade pieces to contemporary designs that use new materials and techniques.

Materials commonly used include gold, silver, copper and other metals, as well as gemstones, pearls, glass and enamel; modern makers also employ plastics, resin and sustainable materials. Techniques include casting, forging, soldering, and shaping; filigree and granulation; repoussé and chasing; stone setting and enameling; engraving and polishing.

Historically, smyckning has conveyed wealth, status and identity. In Northern Europe and Scandinavia, Viking-age arm rings and penannular brooches reveal extensive trade networks. Medieval and early modern goldsmiths produced ecclesiastical and court pieces. The 19th and 20th centuries brought revivalist and modernist currents that helped shape contemporary Scandinavian design.

Today, it encompasses small ateliers, brand designers and craft education. Emphasis on craftsmanship, ethical sourcing, and sustainability coexists with digital fabrication, 3D printing and mixed-media approaches. Preservation and appraisal of historic pieces remain important for museums and collectors.