The rolling mill is a tool used to transform ingots into sheet, rods or wire. It usually consists of two horizontal rolls of which the top one can be adjusted in height. Through subsequent tightening of the top roll ever thinner sheets can be produced by feeding metal plate into the mill.

The rolling mill was invented in the late Middle Ages and replaced the classical hammering of gold into sheets. Because of the high malleability of precious metal extremely thin sheets or wire can be produced this way which can then fuction as the building blocks of a jewelry item. Sheet can be further worked by chasing, repoussé, striking and stamping or be decorated by soldering on filigree or granulation.

The basic principle of a rolling mill

A rolling mill featuring combination rolls to make gold wire