Forged by Fire: The Making of a Sterling Silver Feather | Sterling Roots

From fire to form — each feather we build carries the story of craftsmanship, patience, and tradition. In our Adirondack studio, every line is chased, every curve refined, and every mark intentional. This piece isn’t molded or cast — it’s forged, shaped entirely by hand using silversmithing tools that have been part of our family’s craft for generations.

Watch as we forge a sterling silver feather by hand using traditional silversmithing tools.

The Process of Forging a Feather

Each Sterling Roots feather begins as raw sterling silver. The metal is cut, shaped, and textured by hand — one hammer strike at a time. Using traditional tools passed down through generations, the silver is slowly brought to life. The spine of the feather is raised and defined, while the fine details are engraved and chased into the surface, mirroring the delicate texture of nature’s design.

Fire, file, and patience transform flat metal into form and movement. The final stage — polishing, oxidizing, and refining — reveals depth and contrast, echoing the way light moves across a real feather in the wild.