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Using Sawing and Piercing to make sterling silver earrings

Sawing and Piercing is the technique of using a jeweller’s handsaw to cut patterns and images in metal. This “low tech” technique uses the drawing principle of “negative and positive” space to “draw” in the metal.

Tools Used:

  1. Jeweler’s handsaw and blades (size 3/0 or finer)
  2. Bench pin
  3. Drill bits and rotary tool to drill holes with
    4. Various needle files (square, round, triangle, knife etc.)
  4. Emery paper (220, 400, 600 grit)
  5. Label paper
  6. Bee’s wax




First a drawing is made to scale. This drawing will be transferred directly onto the metal to be used as a guide while sawing so the drawing must be very precise.