Story Highlight
– Stephen M Goldsmith named Precious Metalworker of the Year.
– Award includes £2,000 prize and trophy from The Royal Mint.
– Goldsmith has over 50 years of polishing experience.
– Finalists included silversmiths Angela Cork and Alice Fry.
– Award highlights importance of preserving traditional craft skills.
Full Story
Stephen M Goldsmith, a metal polisher from Somerset, has been honoured with the title of Precious Metalworker of the Year during a ceremony at Wentworth Woodhouse. This accolade, backed by The Royal Mint, also comes with a cash prize of £2,000 and a trophy. It acknowledges a craftsman who has significantly advanced the field of precious metalworking in the preceding year.
With over five decades of experience, Goldsmith has polished a variety of notable silverware, including the Premier League trophy and the America’s Cup. Recently, he was also tasked with aiding in the creation of the new Order of the Royal Family.
The award is presented by Heritage Crafts, a charity dedicated to promoting traditional crafts in the UK. Founded 15 years ago, the organisation is well-known for its Red List of Endangered Crafts, which evaluates the sustainability of heritage craftsmanship. Within this context, polishing falls under the category of ‘silver allied trades’, which Heritage Crafts has highlighted as increasingly vulnerable due to the decline of traditional manufacturing hubs in the UK.
The panel responsible for the award included prominent figures such as Dan Thomas, King’s Assay Master at The Royal Mint, and Gordon Summers, the chief engraver at the same institution. Other members comprised silversmith Rauni Higson MBE and last year’s recipient, silver spinner Warren Martin. Among the finalists were renowned silversmiths Angela Cork and Alice Fry, the latter known for her expertise in chasing and repoussé.
Since initiating their collaboration in 2023, The Royal Mint and Heritage Crafts have provided 13 training bursaries to emerging artisans specialising in precious metals.
Goldsmith expressed his gratitude, stating, “Winning this award is an enormous honour, and to be recognised by The Royal Mint feels incredibly special. I’ve spent over fifty years preserving and polishing the nation’s most precious pieces, often quietly behind the scenes, so to have my craft acknowledged in this way is both humbling and deeply rewarding.”
He further remarked on the importance of such awards, suggesting they serve as essential recognition for heritage crafts, which are crucial for sustaining traditional skills in contemporary society. “This award gives me a wider platform to champion the craft of polishing and opens doors for teaching and inspiring new apprentices, supporting my ongoing mission to pass on the knowledge I’ve gained from a lifetime working with precious metal. I always wanted to meet a precious metal polisher with 50 years’ experience – and now I have become that craftsman!” Goldsmith added.
