Metalworking in the Wizarding World

Metalworking is a highly developed and essential craft in the wizarding world, involving the forging and enchanting of metals to create a wide range of objects, from currency and household items to powerful magical artifacts. While some wizards and witches practice metalworking, the most renowned and skilled smiths are non-human magical beings, particularly Goblins, whose craftsmanship is considered unparalleled. The creation and ownership of masterfully wrought metal items, especially those made by Goblins, are significant aspects of wizarding history, economy, and culture.

• Goblins

The most famous and proficient metalworkers are Goblins. Their skill, especially with silver, is legendary. Goblin-made items are often imbued with powerful enchantments that make them exceptionally durable and capable of unique magical feats. They operate Gringotts Wizarding Bank, where they mint the wizarding currency of Galleons, Sickles, and Knuts. Goblins hold a unique and often contentious view of ownership, believing that the true owner of an object is its maker. They consider payment for a Goblin-made item to be a form of rental, with the item expected to be returned to the Goblin community upon the purchaser's death. This cultural belief is a source of significant conflict with wizards, most notably in the dispute over the Sword of Gryffindor.

* **[[Dwarves]]**
  [[Dwarves]] are also mentioned as being skilled smiths, although they are referenced far less frequently than [[Goblins]]. When [[Albus Dumbledore]] was offered the post of [[Minister for Magic]], he noted that one of the attempted bribes from a Ministry official was a "dwarfishly-wrought silver helmet". This suggests that dwarfish metalwork is also of high quality and value within the wizarding world.

* **Wizards and Witches**
  While not as universally acclaimed as [[Goblins]], certain powerful wizards and witches have demonstrated skill in creating intricate magical metal objects. The [[Hogwarts]] founders, for example, created their own signature artifacts.
    * **[[Salazar Slytherin]]** created the heavy [[gold]] [[Locket of Slytherin]].
    * **[[Rowena Ravenclaw]]** created the [[Diadem of Ravenclaw]].
    * **[[Albus Dumbledore]]** invented and created several magical devices, including the [[Deluminator]], which is described as looking like a silver cigarette lighter.

• Goblin-Made Silver

This is not ordinary silver. According to Griphook, Goblin-made silver does not require cleaning as it repels dirt. More importantly, it “imbibes only that which strengthens it”. The most famous example of this is the Sword of Gryffindor, forged by Ragnuk the First. After Harry Potter used it to kill the Basilisk, the sword became imbued with basilisk venom, giving it the power to destroy Horcruxes.

* **Precious Metals**
    * **[[Gold]]:** Used for the highest denomination of currency ([[Galleons]]), valuable artifacts like the [[Locket of Slytherin]], the statues in the [[Ministry of Magic]] atrium, and the [[Golden Snitch]].
    * **[[Silver]]:** Used for currency ([[Sickles]]), magical instruments like the [[Deluminator]] and [[Secrecy Sensor]], fine tableware, and components in anti-Dark Arts devices. It is the signature material of [[Goblin]] smiths.
    * **[[Bronze]]:** Used for the lowest denomination of currency ([[Knuts]]) and for objects like the [[Eagle Knocker]] on the door to the [[Ravenclaw Tower]].
    * **[[Pewter]]:** A common, less expensive metal used for standard student [[cauldrons]].

* **Magical Instruments and Objects**
  Many crucial magical devices are made of metal. This includes instruments like the [[Sneakoscope]], [[Foe-Glass]], and [[Secrecy Sensor]], as well as unique creations like the time-turner and various enchanted suits of armour found throughout [[Hogwarts]].

• Conduits for Magic

Metals serve as excellent vessels for powerful and lasting enchantments. The ability of Goblin silver to absorb strengthening properties and the capacity of finely crafted objects like the Diadem of Ravenclaw and the Locket of Slytherin to be turned into Horcruxes demonstrate that metal is a prime medium for containing complex magic.

* **Defensive Properties**
  Certain metals, particularly [[silver]], are known to have properties that are effective against Dark creatures. It is a common component in defensive magic and is widely understood to be harmful to [[werewolves]], a fact that instills fear in creatures like [[Fenrir Greyback]].

* **Economic and Cultural Impact**
  Metalworking is the foundation of the wizarding economy through the minting of coins by the [[Goblins]] at [[Gringotts]]. Control over this craft represents significant power. Furthermore, the cultural clash between wizards and [[Goblins]] over the ownership of metalwork is a recurring theme of historical prejudice and misunderstanding, culminating in [[Griphook]]'s betrayal of [[Harry Potter]], [[Ron Weasley]], and [[Hermione Granger]] during the heist at [[Gringotts]].