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Goldsmith Gauntlets in OSRS: Your Ultimate Guide to Boosting Smithing XP
If you’re an Old School RuneScape (OSRS) player looking to level up your Smithing skill efficiently, you’ve likely heard of the Goldsmith Gauntlets. These iconic gloves are a game-changer for anyone aiming to maximize experience rates while smelting gold bars. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive into everything you need to know about Goldsmith Gauntlets in OSRS—how to get them, why they’re essential, and how to use them effectively to skyrocket your Smithing XP. Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned adventurer, this blog post will help you master this powerful tool and optimize your gameplay.
Goldsmith Gauntlets are a pair of gloves in OSRS that significantly boost the experience you gain when smelting gold ore into gold bars. They’re one of three possible rewards from the Family Crest quest, alongside Chaos Gauntlets and Cooking Gauntlets. Introduced to enhance skilling efficiency, these gloves are a must-have for players focused on reaching level 99 Smithing without wasting time or resources.
How Do Goldsmith Gauntlets Work?
When equipped, Goldsmith Gauntlets increase the Smithing XP earned from smelting gold ore from a base of 22.5 XP per bar to an impressive 56.2 XP per bar. That’s a 2.5x boost, making them one of the most effective items for fast Smithing training. Additionally, if you use the Superheat Item spell while wearing them, you’ll still get 56.2 Smithing XP per gold bar, plus 53 Magic XP—a fantastic way to train two skills simultaneously.
Why Are They So Popular?
The popularity of Goldsmith Gauntlets stems from their synergy with the Blast Furnace, a minigame that allows players to smelt bars at a rapid pace. Combined with the gloves, this method offers some of the highest Smithing XP rates in the game—up to 400,000 XP per hour with optimal setups. For players chasing the coveted Smithing skill cape, these gauntlets are practically indispensable.
How to Get Goldsmith Gauntlets in OSRS
Obtaining Goldsmith Gauntlets requires completing the Family Crest quest and making a specific choice afterward. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the process:
Step 1: Start the Family Crest Quest
To begin, head to Varrock and speak to Dimintheis, located south of the eastern entrance. The quest has modest requirements:
It’s a medium-length quest involving tasks like retrieving family crest pieces from three brothers—Avan, Caleb, and Johnathon. Expect some combat (up to level 92 enemies) and a bit of travel across Gielinor.
Step 2: Claim Your Steel Gauntlets
Upon completing the quest, Dimintheis rewards you with Steel Gauntlets. These are the base item that can be enchanted into one of the three gauntlet variants.
Step 3: Enchanting into Goldsmith Gauntlets
Take your Steel Gauntlets to Avan, found in the Al Kharid mine. For 25,000 GP (or free if they’re still unenchanted Steel Gauntlets), he’ll transform them into Goldsmith Gauntlets. You’ll see a message: “Avan takes your gauntlets, takes out a small hammer, and pounds them into a slightly new shape, then hands them to you.” Once enchanted, they’re yours to use!
Lost Them? Here’s What to Do
If you lose your Goldsmith Gauntlets (they’re lost on death), don’t panic. You can reclaim them for free from Dimintheis in Varrock. After completing the Family Pest mini-quest, you can also switch between gauntlet types with Avan without additional cost.
Using Goldsmith Gauntlets for Max Efficiency
Now that you have the gauntlets, it’s time to put them to work. The key to maximizing their potential lies in the Blast Furnace, but there are other strategies to consider too.
Blast Furnace: The Fastest Smithing XP
The Blast Furnace, located in Keldagrim, is the ultimate spot for smelting gold bars with Goldsmith Gauntlets. Here’s how to optimize your setup:
- Requirements: 40 Smithing, start The Giant Dwarf quest for access.
- Gear: Goldsmith Gauntlets, Ice Gloves (to retrieve hot bars), Coal Bag (optional), and weight-reducing clothing like Graceful.
- Inventory: Gold ore, stamina potions.
- Method: Load 27 gold ore onto the conveyor belt, wait for the XP drop (1,500+ XP), switch to Ice Gloves to collect bars, bank, and repeat.
With precise timing and 0-tick banking (clicking through the chatbox to run back instantly), you can hit 390,000–420,000 XP per hour with the Smithing cape. Without it, expect around 350,000 XP per hour—still blazing fast!
Superheat Item: Dual-Skill Training
For a less intense option, use the Superheat Item spell (43 Magic required) with Goldsmith Gauntlets. You’ll smelt gold ore into bars instantly, gaining 56.2 Smithing XP and 53 Magic XP per cast. At 2,500 ores per hour, this nets up to 140,500 Smithing XP and 132,500 Magic XP—perfect for Ironmen or players with limited GP.
Cost Considerations
Smelting gold bars isn’t cheap. From level 40 to 99, you’ll need approximately 231,268 gold ore, costing over 50 million GP at current Grand Exchange prices (assuming 250 GP per ore). However, the time saved—reaching 99 in under 40 hours—makes it worthwhile for many.
Goldsmith Gauntlets vs. Alternatives
Are Goldsmith Gauntlets the only option for Smithing training? Let’s compare them to other methods and items to see where they stand.
Goldsmith Gauntlets vs. Smelting Gauntlets
Post-Mining and Smithing Rework in RuneScape 3, Goldsmith Gauntlets became Smelting Gauntlets with different effects (direct deposit to metal bank). In OSRS, however, they retain their original XP-boosting function, making them superior for pure XP gains over other gloves like Smiths Gloves from Giants’ Foundry.
Blast Furnace vs. Giants’ Foundry
| Method | XP per Hour | Cost | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blast Furnace (Gold Bars) | 350,000–420,000 | High (50M+ GP) | Fastest XP, simple | Expensive, repetitive |
| Giants’ Foundry | 100,000–200,000 | Profitable | Fun, rewarding | Slower XP, skill-based |
Goldsmith Gauntlets shine at the Blast Furnace for speed, but Giants’ Foundry offers a profitable alternative if you’re low on cash or prefer variety.
Other Gloves Comparison
- Smiths Gloves (i): Boost anvil speed and Giants’ Foundry progress, but no smelting XP bonus.
- Ice Gloves: Essential for Blast Furnace but no XP boost alone.
- Cooking/Chaos Gauntlets: Niche uses, irrelevant for Smithing.
For pure Smithing XP, Goldsmith Gauntlets remain unmatched when smelting gold.
Tips and Tricks for Goldsmith Gauntlets Mastery
To get the most out of your Goldsmith Gauntlets, consider these expert tips:
Optimize Your Blast Furnace Runs
Use official Blast Furnace worlds (e.g., 358, 386) where dwarves operate the furnace for 12,000 GP per 10 minutes. Equip the Smithing cape for a 10% chance to smelt an extra bar, pushing XP rates even higher. Keep stamina potions handy to maintain run energy.
Stack Experience Boosts
Goldsmith Gauntlets stack with bonus XP (e.g., from lamps or events), potentially doubling your gains to 112.4 XP per bar during specific conditions. However, they don’t work with Double XP Weekends or the Illumination Aura in OSRS.
Plan Your Budget
If 50M GP is out of reach, smelt lower-tier bars (e.g., steel or mithril) until you can afford gold ore. Alternatively, fund your training by flipping items on the Grand Exchange or grinding profitable Slayer tasks.
Combine with Other Goals
Use Superheat Item to train Magic alongside Smithing, or sell gold bars for profit if prices spike. Flexibility is key to making the most of your gauntlets.
By now, you should see why Goldsmith Gauntlets are a cornerstone of efficient Smithing training in OSRS. From their massive XP boost to their synergy with the Blast Furnace, they’re a tool no serious skiller should overlook. Complete the Family Crest quest, grab your pair, and start smelting your way to 99 Smithing today. Happy skilling!