Tools of the Trade: Jewelry Tools and How to Use Them

Welcome back to our blog here at Lonnie’s! Something we find a lot of folks interested in is what goes into the actual making of the pieces we sell. The tools we use and the like. We also see a lot of interest out on the web for getting into silversmithing, or the basics of making jewelry. So, with all that in mind, we decided to whip together this basic list of tools any jeweler worth their salt will use.

A Complete Basic Jewelry Making Tool Kit

Pliers (All Different Sorts)

Pliers make up a huge bulk of the jeweler’s toolkit. There are many types including flat nose, round nose, nylon jaw, chain nosed, bent chain nosed and more. Each with specific purposes. For instance, the flat nose will be the main set to hold the piece in place while soldering, are useful for bending the wire at right angles and more. Nylon jaws are a softer option that allows for the metal or wire of the piece to be work hardened without damaging the metal. There is a pair of pliers for every occasion.

Wire Cutters

Just like pliers, any jeweler from novice to journeyman to artisan will be doing a lot of cutting. Using wire cutters with a side angle will make things incredibly easy. Memory wire cutters are another set that can make it much easier to cut wires, harder wire in particular. It will make a flush, flat cut time after time.

Chasing Hammer (and something to hammer on!)

Hammers are going to be used to straighten out wire, beat out, shape, or stamp on metal. There are various sizes and materials, if you’re building a beginner, basic kit don’t dwell too much on this first one, by the time you’ve made a few pieces you’ll find you ended up with quite the variety of them! Going along with the hammer will be a surface, either a wood block, anvil or other solid, flat surface for work. It is necessary for all sorts of tasks. Get something secure and safe and get ready for lots of hammering.

Jeweler’s Files

After you’ve been hammering, cutting, and bending all that metal, you are going to need tools to help smooth it all out, remove burrs, file down any errors in your cutting and soldering. Speaking of soldering…

Torch, Soldering Iron

After you have bent, cut, and otherwise shaped your jewelry it becomes time to put them together. That’s where these tools come in. You use a torch or soldering iron to heat up the pieces and join the metal together.

Safety Goggles or Glasses

Go figure, when you’re filing, hammering, or melting metal, it pays to be as safe as possible! The last thing anyone wants is flying bits of metal to find their way into the eyes.  Wear proper safety glasses or goggles when sitting down to work and follow the necessary precautions for all the tools available to you. If you don’t know how something works, learn!

With these tools, you can feel reasonably assured of your first steps into the world of jewelry! Now get your materials and start tinkering. Believe us, those first few pieces will be misshapen, a little out of sorts, or downright failures. But you’ll treasure them regardless as representatives of your start!