There are many metalworking techniques. Certainly one of the most beautiful is filigree. This technique has been used throughout the centuries to create wonderful jewelry and decorative items that we still admire today. The name of this technique comes from Latin. filum-thread and granum-grain. In order to make a decorative item or jewelry using this technique, silver, gold, and rarely copper wire is used to compose the motif. Threads of wire are bent and interlaced, tied together, and thus a complex motif is formed that can be placed on a metal base or free (a-jour-filigree). Circles, flowers, and geometric patterns were made from filigree wire. Small metal balls were sometimes placed on objects made in this way.