Improving Jewellery Production through the Uses of Dies and Punches: Perspectives from Gold and Silversmiths in Kumasi – Ghana

Abstract

This article which employs descriptive and phenomenological study sought to establish an understanding of local gold and silversmiths on the uses of dies and punches in the production of jewellery. The study reveals that gold and silversmiths in Kumasi were not able to explore their ideas using embossing methods because they relied solely on the imported dome blocks and metal punches which could only produce domes and half dome forms which are used for onwards use as pendants, earrings and necklace. It also brought to light that prices of precious metals for jewellery is a major factor in pricing jewellery products but the adaptation of appropriate methods such as the making and usage of dies and punches in the studio practice would contribute to the reduction of overall cost of the end product. Local gold and silversmiths should be trained to make their own dies and punches to reduce their production cost.

Keywords: Jewellery, Embossing, Dies set, Gold and Silversmiths