# Damascening

> Damascening inlays gold and silver wires into steel with fine grooves; a tradition of Toledo and the Islamic world for jewelry, weapons and objects.

- Source: https://www.711grados.com/en/damascening/
- Language: en
- Note: This entry was drafted with the help of AI and is pending review by the author.
- Published: 2026-06-20
- Updated: 2026-06-20
- Translation (es): https://www.711grados.com/es/damasquinado-y-ataujia/
- Author: Sandra Sánchez
- Site: 711 Grados (https://www.711grados.com/)

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Damascening consists of hammering very fine gold or silver wires into grooves cut in a steel base. The contrast between the dark steel and the bright metal gives an effect of great richness.

![Steps of the technique: Prepare the steel, Lay the wire, Hammer, Heat, Burnish, Patinate](https://www.711grados.com/media/diagrams/damasquinado-steps.en.svg "Summary of the steps")

## How it is done

1. Grooves or a cross-hatching are cut in the steel with a graver.
2. Gold or silver wires are hammered into the grooves.
3. The surface is polished smooth; the steel is darkened (blued) to heighten the contrast.

## Traditions

Toledo (Spain) is the capital of damascening, with a tradition dating back to Islamic times. It is also known in Syria (Damascus) and the Middle East.

## Uses

Jewelry (pendants, brooches, cufflinks), knives, swords and decorative objects.

## Care

Steel rusts if it gets wet: dry it and clean it with a cloth.

## Step by step

1. **Prepare the steel.** File and score the surface with cross lines.
2. **Lay the wire.** Press gold or silver wire onto the grooves.
3. **Hammer.** Tap gently to fix it.
4. **Heat.** Warm lightly so it adheres.
5. **Burnish.** Smooth with the burnisher.
6. **Patinate.** Oxidize the steel for contrast.

## Tools and materials

- Steel or iron
- Fine gold or silver wire
- Burnisher ([burnishing](https://www.711grados.com/en/burnishing-metal/))
- Small hammer and chisel

## Common mistakes

- Shallow grooves: the wire comes loose.
- Striking hard: it marks the steel.
- Overheating the steel: it loses hardness.
- Not protecting the steel from rust.

## See also

- [Niello: the black that makes the engraving stand out](https://www.711grados.com/en/niello/)
- [Inlay in jewelry](https://www.711grados.com/en/inlay/)
- [Hand and laser engraving in jewelry](https://www.711grados.com/en/engraving-in-jewelry/)