He founded the Society of American Silversmiths.
(Press Release) Finicky and obsessive. That’s how Jeffrey Herman describes his relationship with silver, forged over the course of nearly 40 years of smithing.
Herman founded the Society of American Silversmiths in 1989 to preserve and promote the silversmithing arts. He even acts as an advisor to the International Institute of Modern Butlers — a group whose reputation is staked on the fastidious care of pedigreed silver. In other words, if metalsmithing canonized its most devout practitioners, Herman would be the the Patron Saint of Patinaed Silver.
Herman is the subject of a “For the Love of Jewelers” digital storytelling piece, one in a series created by Rio Grande to celebrate the work of independent American jewelers and metalsmiths. Previous editions have featured well-known jewelers and metalsmiths such as Ronda Coryell, Shane Hendren and G. Phil Poirier.
From its home base at riojeweler.com, “For the Love of Jewelers” blends several mediums — including writing, video, photography and an interactive “studio tour” experience — to catalog Herman’s contributions to silversmithing. Ever the advocate of his craft, Herman also shares a few of his favorite bench tips in a series of short, informative videos developed in partnership with Rio Grande.
Working out of his Rhode Island studio and home, Herman is considered one of the country’s foremost authorities on repairing, restoring and conserving antique and historical silver. Herman’s website, hermansilver.com, is a treasure trove of advice, topics and techniques related to all things silver. It is updated constantly to reflect the latest developments in better, safer care for silver and the artists who handle it.
To interact with the “For the Love of Jewelers” piece on Herman, visit: www.riojeweler.com/jewelers/jeffrey-herman.
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