Erickson Silver, Gardner, MA
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Popular Questions & Answers

Erickson Silver

silversmithing tools

What's so special about hand wrought silver?

Silver is a soft metal and the only thing that will harden it so it will not bend, but will be strong enough to withstand use, is tempering. Tempering is a process of hammering and heating and hammering... again and again. All hand wrought Erickson Silver is made by hammering, tempering the metal to hardness and strength no kind of manufactured silver can achieve.

This also means that hand wrought silver is much more durable. It can be used everyday throughout your lifetime and generations to come without any appreciable evidence of deterioration. You just can't wear it out!

silversmithing tools

What makes Erickson Silver so different than "store-bought"?

To begin with, the process of crafting hand-wrought silver is completely different than manufactured silver. No dies or machinery are used. Each piece is individually forged by hand using multiple specialty hammers. No two pieces are exactly alike, although a good craftsman is almost uncanny in his precision. (These minute differences are practically imperceptible to anyone but the trained eye.) And these tiny variations are what makes hand wrought silver so personal, unique and valuable.
Click here to see the 10-Step Process of crafting an Erickson Silver spoon.

silversmithing tools

How long does it take for you to make what I order?

Unfortunately, there's no exact answer. It depend upon the complexity of your order and how busy we are. We always recommend planning ahead and allowing at least several weeks. Tell us what you need and we'll provide a dependable estimate of the time it will take.

silversmithing tools

Can I see an example of what I want to order to help me decide?

Yes. We have samples on-hand that you can see, touch and feel. You'll be impressed by the solid and substantial feel of our hand wrought flatware and balance of our jewelry.

Please call us at (978) 632-0702, or come by and visit us at 119 Green St in Gardner, MA Monday through Saturday between 9am and 4pm.

silversmithing tools

I'd like to learn how to craft handwrought silver. Do you teach and train people?

If you live in within driving distance of North Central MA, I offer evening classes. Inquire at (978) 632-0702.

Outside our area, you might want to contact your local crafts center or Google "silversmith" plus your zip code or region.

Erickson Silver


119 Green St, Gardner, MA

(978) 632-0702

Hours: Open Mon-Fri 9am-4pm and by appointment. Occasionally we have to step out, so if you wish, call first.

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Something Personal...

Peter Erickson thanks his grandfather, George, for passing on his knowledge of more than 60 years as a master craftsman of silver...and for awakening his love of silver smithing. 

Erickson Silver was born from the Arthur J. Stone Silver Shop, 1901-1937, with drawings, "scales" files, catalogs and more in the Smithsonian Archives of American Art.

You can discover more about Peter's family's tradition of silversmithing in the city of Gardner, MA here. Or read a newspaper story about Peter's and Gardner's historical 'love affair' with silver.

Peter Erickson is an Artisan Member of the Society of American Silversmiths

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