# Texturing metal surfaces in jewelry

> Texturing gives relief to the metal surface: hammered finishes, rolling-mill textures, bark, burs, sandblasting and stamping.

- Source: https://www.711grados.com/en/texturing-metal-surfaces/
- Language: en
- Note: This entry was drafted with the help of AI and is pending review by the author.
- Published: 2026-07-18
- Updated: 2026-07-18
- Translation (es): https://www.711grados.com/es/texturizado-de-superficies/
- Author: Sandra Sánchez
- Site: 711 Grados (https://www.711grados.com/)

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A texture changes how light moves across a piece. There are many ways to create one, from the most rustic to the most precise.

![Steps of the technique: Anneal, Choose the texture, Apply, Check, Anneal or not, Finish](https://www.711grados.com/media/diagrams/texturizado-steps.en.svg "Summary of the steps")

## With a hammer

Ball, flat-faced or chisel hammers leave regular or irregular marks. Hammering also hardens the metal.

## By rolling

Passing a sheet of metal through the rolling mill with paper, fabric, leaves or engraved plate transfers the pattern to the surface.

## Bark texture

The surface is heated until it almost melts and then cooled, leaving a tree-bark look.

## With burs and stamping

Burs and punches leave controlled marks. Sandblasting or bead blasting gives an even matte finish.

## Step by step

1. **Anneal.** Leave the metal soft.
2. **Choose the texture.** Hammer, rolling or bur.
3. **Apply.** Work evenly over the whole surface.
4. **Check.** Watch the light across the texture.
5. **Anneal or not.** Depending on thickness and hardening.
6. **Finish.** Clean with a brush and, if wanted, oxidize.

## Tools and materials

- Ball-peen and texturing hammers
- Rolling mill with paper or fabric
- Burs and brushes
- Oxidizers ([coloring](https://www.711grados.com/en/coloring-of-metals/))

## Common mistakes

- Very deep textures on thin sheet.
- Applying the texture unevenly.
- Polishing and erasing the texture by mistake.
- Forgetting the thickness that is lost.

## See also

- [Forging and hammering metal](https://www.711grados.com/en/forging-and-hammering/)
- [Rolling and wire drawing: sheet and wire](https://www.711grados.com/en/rolling-and-wire-drawing/)
- [Reticulation: wrinkled metal](https://www.711grados.com/en/reticulation/)
- [Stamping and die striking](https://www.711grados.com/en/stamping-and-die-striking/)