Basic Jewelry Making Tool List - Get Started
A Complete Basic Jewelry Making Tool Kit for Beginners
The following is a basic list of jewelry making tools to get a good start. If your looking to start out into jewelry making and am wondering how do I get started?
This is a good base guide to start from and go from there.
These tools will help you immensely in basic jewelry making tasks and techniques geared to get the most value based on functionality, common tasks, basic jewelry making techniques, jewelry making principles to make a broad range of jewelry projects. Master these tools with regards to learning jewelry making techniques then you will find endless opportunities to the amount of work you can create. You will then be off and running in the jewelry making world.
Jewelry making itself has been around for centuries, as the saying goes "Why reinvent the wheel?" Master these tools and techniques they will allow you to jump from beginner to intermediate in a short time. With everything practice makes perfect so try to consistently to dive in pushing yourself to learn production, push creativity. We added a short list of a few extra supplies you may need at the bottom of the page. We will add a short Jewelry Making Material List to start out with later so you will know what you need to get in terms of jewelry making supplies to complete your jump start.
1. Flat Nose Pliers Hold metal, wire, findings, and objects in place.
Flat nose pliers are a jewelry makers main set to hold jewelry findings in place for soldering, open jump rings, jewelry clasps, straighten wire, bend wire at a 90 degree angle, bend crimps without a crimping tool, bend flat metal, you name it.
These pliers are a major staple so don't scrimp get a good jewelry making pair. Beadalon makes a fairly standard that seems to work well. Also you might want to consider getting a alternative pair, possibly with a bit different configuration such as longer handles, bigger size, smaller size,
or bigger plier tips. You will use these.
2. Round Nose Pliers
Again, a good main staple. Round nose pliers allow you to make loops for connecting jewelry together either via wire, headpins, clasps, rings, you name it. They allow you to bend metal to a curve. Jump rings can also be created or managed this way.
3. Nylon Jaw Pliers
Or a soft jaw plier. This set of pliers allows you to work with or "work harden" wire or metal without scratching, marring, or leaving plier marks on your metal.
They are good for pulling dents out of metal and straightening wire.
4. Side cutter Wire Cutters
These are a crucial part of your jewelry kit. Again you may want more than one pair with some variance. But to start out, start out with a good pair of wire cutters. These will be used to cut wire, cut jump rings, connectors, anything with a small gauge. You will cut things quite a bit.
5. Chain Nosed Pliers
Chain nosed pliers are that extra reach and ability to use more control to bend wire, tips, corners, parts, and chain for example. They are like flat nosed pliers but with more length and control.
6. Bent Chain Nosed Pliers
Bent chain nosed pliers allow you to hold items especially for working on such as soldering, and allowing you to work slightly "on side" of the plier tip. Also bending objects with the bent tip.
Very handy and recommended.
7. Memory Wire cutters
Make it easy to cut wire. Especially hardened or steel wire with a clean flush flat cut.
Cuts many fair to small gauge wire.
8. Step Jaw Pliers
These allow for multiple curving properties and allow you make loops with wire.
Great to keep a curve on a object.
9. Chasing Hammer
You need a hammer. Jewelry makers hit things. That's just a fact.
A great way to let off steam. A basic chasing hamme will go a long way so
try to get a good one. Again, another item that you can get in diferent sizes etc.
Start out with one. You will use this to straighten wire, metal, imprint meta, shape metal,
use for metal stamping, making something fit your jewelry design needs.
10. A Wood Block, Wood Stump, Meta Block, Anvil or Flat Solid working surface
Needed for hammering, shaping and working your metal. Essential for joining, shaping, riveting, bending, curving, etc that wont move and is solid. Some people even use a railroad track. Many things with work but make sure it's safe. A metal supply shop might have what you are looking for also.
But you need a secure working block to hammer or use pressure to secure your jewelry piece.
11. Jewelers Saw with multiple blades or blade kit
Essential for cutting material with the ability to turn tight corners or shapes.
This is one of the essential tools jewelry makers.
We highly suggest you seek researching one of the many great tutorials online on using this tool as it takes practice. Once you master this saw you will appreciate it's benefit.
12. Jewelers Files
Possibly a set or a few.
You don't need a lot to start out but you do need some standard jewellers files.
These will help you file your metal, get rid of burrs from wire, etc.
13. Micro Torch with Solder
A good micro torch will go a long way allowing you the ability to solder jewelry parts together, treat metal, and fuse metal together.
As always, do diligent reseach on this tool, find one of the many tutorials online, seek help from another jeweller and commit to learn safely. Use and know the safety requirements beforehand and adhere to them.
14. Safety Goggles or Safety Glasses
When it comes to making things, safety is number one.
Protect your eyes! Always!
Wear safety glasses or safety goggles when making jewelry as it will save your life.
You may not want to but if you get in the habit of wearing them, one day you will be thankful.
Flying bits of cut wire, splatter, or bits of metal enter the environment and safety goggles will help.
BONUS: EASY TO OBTAIN LOW COST OPTIONAL ITEMS THAT MAY PROVE USEFUL
- Steel ruler for measurement.
- Scribe or pin tool for scratching or signing surfaces.
- Helping Third 3rd Hand Magnifier Alligator Clip Holder Clamp Jeweler Soldering Bench Tool
- Tweezers
- A good clamp
- Rubber gloves or gloves to help hand wear
- Steel wool, Wire brush, and Dish scrubber pad
- Make homemade safe jewellers PICKLE from salt vinegar and hydrogen peroxide.
- Charcoal or simple concrete bricks from the home improvement store are a good source for heat retention or soldering surface.
- Basic Dremel tool with accessories
- Inexpensive Jewellers bench pin. One that works on a standard table for starters.
- Short pieces of steel or copper tubing in different sizes can help you shape curves on wire and metal sheets etc.
- optional: hand stamp lettering set
For an invaluable resource and instruction on how to use all these tools and materials go to:
You'll find a massive amount of tips and tutorials on jewelry making that can help start and you move to the next level.
As always have fun and get creative!
Don't forget CGM Findings can help you get wholesale jewelry supplies at incredibly low prices and we are here to help you with your jewelry business. We do require a Resale license but we are committed to fast shipping, a large selection, and low pricing.
You can call us M - F 8:30AM-5:30PM Pacific Time at :
1 800 426 5246
Or Tweet, Like, tag or Share this Article with Friends using the Buttons below. Thank you.
You Might Like a few of our other Articles:
A Complete Basic Jewelry Making Tool Kit for Beginners
The following is a basic list of jewelry making tools to get a good start. If your looking to start out into jewelry making and am wondering how do I get started?
This is a good base guide to start from and go from there.
This is a good base guide to start from and go from there.
These tools will help you immensely in basic jewelry making tasks and techniques geared to get the most value based on functionality, common tasks, basic jewelry making techniques, jewelry making principles to make a broad range of jewelry projects. Master these tools with regards to learning jewelry making techniques then you will find endless opportunities to the amount of work you can create. You will then be off and running in the jewelry making world. Jewelry making itself has been around for centuries, as the saying goes "Why reinvent the wheel?" Master these tools and techniques they will allow you to jump from beginner to intermediate in a short time. With everything practice makes perfect so try to consistently to dive in pushing yourself to learn production, push creativity. We added a short list of a few extra supplies you may need at the bottom of the page. We will add a short Jewelry Making Material List to start out with later so you will know what you need to get in terms of jewelry making supplies to complete your jump start.
Jewelry making itself has been around for centuries, as the saying goes "Why reinvent the wheel?" Master these tools and techniques they will allow you to jump from beginner to intermediate in a short time. With everything practice makes perfect so try to consistently to dive in pushing yourself to learn production, push creativity. We added a short list of a few extra supplies you may need at the bottom of the page. We will add a short Jewelry Making Material List to start out with later so you will know what you need to get in terms of jewelry making supplies to complete your jump start.
1. Flat Nose Pliers Hold metal, wire, findings, and objects in place.
Flat nose pliers are a jewelry makers main set to hold jewelry findings in place for soldering, open jump rings, jewelry clasps, straighten wire, bend wire at a 90 degree angle, bend crimps without a crimping tool, bend flat metal, you name it.
These pliers are a major staple so don't scrimp get a good jewelry making pair. Beadalon makes a fairly standard that seems to work well. Also you might want to consider getting a alternative pair, possibly with a bit different configuration such as longer handles, bigger size, smaller size,
or bigger plier tips. You will use these.
2. Round Nose Pliers
Again, a good main staple. Round nose pliers allow you to make loops for connecting jewelry together either via wire, headpins, clasps, rings, you name it. They allow you to bend metal to a curve. Jump rings can also be created or managed this way.
3. Nylon Jaw Pliers
Or a soft jaw plier. This set of pliers allows you to work with or "work harden" wire or metal without scratching, marring, or leaving plier marks on your metal.
They are good for pulling dents out of metal and straightening wire.
Flat nose pliers are a jewelry makers main set to hold jewelry findings in place for soldering, open jump rings, jewelry clasps, straighten wire, bend wire at a 90 degree angle, bend crimps without a crimping tool, bend flat metal, you name it.
These pliers are a major staple so don't scrimp get a good jewelry making pair. Beadalon makes a fairly standard that seems to work well. Also you might want to consider getting a alternative pair, possibly with a bit different configuration such as longer handles, bigger size, smaller size,
or bigger plier tips. You will use these.
2. Round Nose Pliers
Again, a good main staple. Round nose pliers allow you to make loops for connecting jewelry together either via wire, headpins, clasps, rings, you name it. They allow you to bend metal to a curve. Jump rings can also be created or managed this way.
3. Nylon Jaw Pliers
Or a soft jaw plier. This set of pliers allows you to work with or "work harden" wire or metal without scratching, marring, or leaving plier marks on your metal.
They are good for pulling dents out of metal and straightening wire.
4. Side cutter Wire Cutters
These are a crucial part of your jewelry kit. Again you may want more than one pair with some variance. But to start out, start out with a good pair of wire cutters. These will be used to cut wire, cut jump rings, connectors, anything with a small gauge. You will cut things quite a bit.
5. Chain Nosed Pliers
Chain nosed pliers are that extra reach and ability to use more control to bend wire, tips, corners, parts, and chain for example. They are like flat nosed pliers but with more length and control.
6. Bent Chain Nosed Pliers
Bent chain nosed pliers allow you to hold items especially for working on such as soldering, and allowing you to work slightly "on side" of the plier tip. Also bending objects with the bent tip.
Very handy and recommended.
7. Memory Wire cutters
Make it easy to cut wire. Especially hardened or steel wire with a clean flush flat cut.
Cuts many fair to small gauge wire.
8. Step Jaw Pliers
These allow for multiple curving properties and allow you make loops with wire.
Great to keep a curve on a object.
9. Chasing Hammer
You need a hammer. Jewelry makers hit things. That's just a fact.
A great way to let off steam. A basic chasing hamme will go a long way so
try to get a good one. Again, another item that you can get in diferent sizes etc.
Start out with one. You will use this to straighten wire, metal, imprint meta, shape metal,
use for metal stamping, making something fit your jewelry design needs.
10. A Wood Block, Wood Stump, Meta Block, Anvil or Flat Solid working surface
Needed for hammering, shaping and working your metal. Essential for joining, shaping, riveting, bending, curving, etc that wont move and is solid. Some people even use a railroad track. Many things with work but make sure it's safe. A metal supply shop might have what you are looking for also.
But you need a secure working block to hammer or use pressure to secure your jewelry piece.
11. Jewelers Saw with multiple blades or blade kit
Essential for cutting material with the ability to turn tight corners or shapes.
This is one of the essential tools jewelry makers.
We highly suggest you seek researching one of the many great tutorials online on using this tool as it takes practice. Once you master this saw you will appreciate it's benefit.
12. Jewelers Files
Possibly a set or a few.
You don't need a lot to start out but you do need some standard jewellers files.
These will help you file your metal, get rid of burrs from wire, etc.
13. Micro Torch with Solder
A good micro torch will go a long way allowing you the ability to solder jewelry parts together, treat metal, and fuse metal together.
As always, do diligent reseach on this tool, find one of the many tutorials online, seek help from another jeweller and commit to learn safely. Use and know the safety requirements beforehand and adhere to them.
14. Safety Goggles or Safety Glasses
When it comes to making things, safety is number one.
Protect your eyes! Always!
Wear safety glasses or safety goggles when making jewelry as it will save your life.
You may not want to but if you get in the habit of wearing them, one day you will be thankful.
Flying bits of cut wire, splatter, or bits of metal enter the environment and safety goggles will help.
BONUS: EASY TO OBTAIN LOW COST OPTIONAL ITEMS THAT MAY PROVE USEFUL
- Steel ruler for measurement.
- Scribe or pin tool for scratching or signing surfaces.
- Helping Third 3rd Hand Magnifier Alligator Clip Holder Clamp Jeweler Soldering Bench Tool
- Tweezers
- A good clamp
- Rubber gloves or gloves to help hand wear
- Steel wool, Wire brush, and Dish scrubber pad
- Make homemade safe jewellers PICKLE from salt vinegar and hydrogen peroxide.
- Charcoal or simple concrete bricks from the home improvement store are a good source for heat retention or soldering surface.
- Basic Dremel tool with accessories
- Inexpensive Jewellers bench pin. One that works on a standard table for starters.
- Short pieces of steel or copper tubing in different sizes can help you shape curves on wire and metal sheets etc.
- optional: hand stamp lettering set
For an invaluable resource and instruction on how to use all these tools and materials go to:
You'll find a massive amount of tips and tutorials on jewelry making that can help start and you move to the next level.
As always have fun and get creative!
Don't forget CGM Findings can help you get wholesale jewelry supplies at incredibly low prices and we are here to help you with your jewelry business. We do require a Resale license but we are committed to fast shipping, a large selection, and low pricing.
You can call us M - F 8:30AM-5:30PM Pacific Time at :
1 800 426 5246
Or Tweet, Like, tag or Share this Article with Friends using the Buttons below. Thank you.
You Might Like a few of our other Articles:
If you are planning to go to the Tucson Gem Show for 2014, get ready for a treat.