Granulation

Granulation is a technique used by metalsmiths to create small silver or gold balls for decoration or an accent to a piece. The technique is said to originate from Sumeria from as early as the early to middle Bronze Age. During the Iron Age it was adopted by the Etruscans in present day Italy.

Here is a very short video on the granulation technique!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PaSHtyl3fI