# Filigree: lace of metal wire

> Filigree forms designs with extremely fine gold or silver wires, twisted and soldered; traditions from Europe, India (Karimnagar, Cuttack) and the Americas.

- Source: https://www.711grados.com/en/filigree/
- Language: en
- Note: This entry was drafted with the help of AI and is pending review by the author.
- Published: 2026-09-04
- Updated: 2026-09-04
- Translation (es): https://www.711grados.com/es/filigrana/
- Author: Sandra Sánchez
- Site: 711 Grados (https://www.711grados.com/)

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Filigree builds the piece from very fine metal wires, twisted and coiled, soldered into a lace. It is one of the most delicate techniques in goldsmithing.

![Steps of the technique: Make the wire, Flatten, Shape, Arrange, Solder, Polish](https://www.711grados.com/media/diagrams/filigrana-steps.en.svg "Summary of the steps")

## How it is done

1. Very fine metal wires are drawn and twisted together to give a cord.
2. The wire is flattened and bent into spirals, leaves and scrolls, which are filled in following a design.
3. The parts are soldered to each other and to a frame or base.

## Traditions

It is ancient in the Mediterranean and appears in the metalwork of Portugal, Spain and Italy; in India, Karimnagar silver filigree and Cuttack's tarakasi; in the Americas, the filigree of Mompox (Colombia) and Peru.

## Types

Framed filigree (with an edge surrounding the design) and applied filigree (on a plain surface).

## Tips

It is very fragile: avoid knocks and clean it with a soft brush.

## Step by step

1. **Make the wire.** Draw fine wire and twist it into cord.
2. **Flatten.** Pass the wire through the rolling mill if needed.
3. **Shape.** Bend spirals and scrolls with tweezers.
4. **Arrange.** Lay the motifs within the frame.
5. **Solder.** Join the wires with powdered solder.
6. **Polish.** Clean and brighten.

## Tools and materials

- Fine silver or gold wire
- Fine-point tweezers
- Powdered solder and flux
- Loupe and good light

## Common mistakes

- Using too much solder: the pattern is clogged.
- Uneven wires.
- Heating suddenly: the wires melt.
- Not resting your eyes.

## See also

- [Granulation: tiny spheres of gold](https://www.711grados.com/en/granulation/)
- [Tuareg and Amazigh jewelry](https://www.711grados.com/en/tuareg-amazigh-jewelry/)
- [Silver](https://www.711grados.com/en/silver/)
- [Sawing and piercing: cutting and hollowing metal](https://www.711grados.com/en/sawing-and-piercing/)