Many use the terms goldsmith and silversmith interchangeably, but they actually have different definitions.
You might think that someone who only works with gold is called a goldsmith and that someone who works only with silver is called a silversmith, but these labels have more to do with the function or purpose of the objects rather than the materials themselves. Even if a maker primarily works with sterling silver, if they are making small wearable adornments, they are considered a goldsmith.
The title of “goldsmith” refers to those who design and make jewellery with precious metals and semiprecious or precious gemstones. Goldsmiths are often skilled in both hand fabrication (filing, sawing, soldering, forging, polishing) and casting. The term jeweller can also be used interchangeably for goldsmiths.
Silversmith refers to those who design and make sculptural metal work and/or vessels such as bowls and chalices. Silversmiths are trained using the same techniques as goldsmiths, but the primary difference here is scale and wearability. Silversmiths can work in precious (gold, silver) and non-precious metals (copper, brass).