Have you just started jewellery making? It’s a fun, rewarding skill, and there really is no limit to what you can create! It’s a hobby that takes time and practice, but with the right tools and knowledge, you can easily begin making your own designs come to life.
For newbies, it’s important to start with a few simple tools to help them master essential techniques like shaping, cutting, and wirework. At Cooksongold, we have a range of top-quality, beginner-friendly tools to help them explore this new craft.
However, it can be confusing to know where to start when looking for jewellery making tools for beginners. This is where we can help! Check out our list below of the basic tools you’ll need to start your jewellery-making journey.
Pliers set
A set of pliers is a great starting point for a first-time jewellery maker. We have a wide variety of pliers to choose from, each serving its own purpose.
However, one of our pliers sets is a great starting point for beginners starting their jewellery-making journey as it takes the guesswork out of knowing which pair you’ll need for each project. A good beginner-friendly set will include four or five assorted pliers covering the basics. A set usually includes round-nose pliers, flat-nose pliers, and side cutters.
Saw Frame and Saw Blades
For projects involving cutting silver and gold wire or sheet, you’ll need a good quality saw frame and saw blades. A saw frame and saw blades are useful to have in the workshop when taking on a variety of wire and sheet projects, regardless of whether you’re cutting simple shapes or making intricate pierced designs, When using a saw frame, you should always support the silver and gold cutting on a secure and stable bench peg. Most saw frames and blades are sold separately; however, a saw frame starter set is available that’s ideal for beginners!
Bow Drill
A bow drill is a hand-operated tool used in jewellery-making to cut precise holes in materials, including metal and gemstones. It features a bow-and-string mechanism that provides a stable rotary motion, making it perfect for drilling holes without having to invest in a pendant motor. Most jewellery makers use a bow drill to create holes for settings, clasps, or decorative accents.
Triblet
A triblet, also known as a mandrel, is another essential tool for forming, shaping and reforming rings and bracelets. A triblet will often feature ring sizes for accuracy when forming a ring. Check out our blog post for more information on how to use a ring triblet. At Cooksongold, we offer a range of steel triblets, which are essential for creating perfectly sized, wearable jewellery.
Hammers & Mallets
In jewellery-making, you may find yourself using various hammers that are suitable for a range of different projects.
These include texturing hammers, which can add textures and patterns to metal. Repousse hammers are used when forming metal into complex designs, and nylon hammers or leather mallets are used for forming and bending metal.
For beginners, we have a hammer and block set available that makes a great starting point.
Double-Ended Pin Vice
A double-ended pin vice is a great tool for holding small items. Double-ended pin vices have different-sized double-ended collets at each end, which can hold drill bits and screws securely.
In jewellery-making, this tool is ideal for staying in control while taking on precise work. This could include wirework, drilling tiny holes, or engraving fine details onto a piece.
Files
Files are an essential tool in jewellery-making – particularly when working with sheet and wire. They can remove excess material, refine details, and file down rough edges.
Files are available in various sizes, each suitable for a different purpose. Ultimately, they will allow you to ensure a clean, polished surface in the jewellery you make. We stock a range of file sets, including needle file sets suitable for smaller-scale filing.
Soldering Torch
Once you start working with silver sheet and wire, you’ll need a gas torch to solder. A soldering torch is used to attach metal pieces together by melting solder, allowing for a seamless join in your final piece. Our hand-small gas soldering torches are great for beginners.
It is important to note that soldering torches can be sold with or without fuel, so you may need to purchase a separate can of butane.
Soldering Block
A soldering block is essential for soldering. Made using lightweight, fireproof material, this tool offers a heat-resistant surface to complete soldering tasks, protecting you and your workspace. A soldering block also provides additional support and helps to solder small components safely, ensuring an accurate connection and reducing heat loss.
Borax Cone and Borax Dish
Borax cones are made of dried flux, which, when mixed with water in a borax dish, can create a paste suitable for soldering. This paste prevents oxidation during heating, ensuring clean, sturdy joins.
Don’t forget that when soldering, a safety pickle is also required to remove the oxides from the metal.
Emery Paper and Emery sticks
Emery paper and emery sticks are abrasive tools that smooth, shape, and refine metals. Polishing is an important part of the jewellery-making process, so most jewellery makers ensure they have a stock of emery paper.
Emery paper is most used after filing and before the final polishing. It is available in grades ranging from 60, the coarsest, to 7000, which is very fine.
Tweezers
Believe it or not, tweezers are an incredibly handy tool in the workshop! Their fine tips allow jewellery makers to work with delicate items and easily perform intricate tasks. They are an essential tool for jewellery making, ideal for soldering or picking and placing gemstones and small components. Check out Cooksongold’s range of professional jewellery tweezers for more.
Tips for using your jewellery-making tools effectively
For beginners just getting started on their jewellery-making journey, it can be confusing to know where to start, especially when using unfamiliar tools. We suggest doing the following to help the learning process go smoothly.
- Once you’ve set up a comfortable workspace, familiarise yourself with your tools before starting a project.
- Practice methods like wire wrapping and filing on scrap materials before committing to a project to prevent waste.
- Keep your tools clean and organised to avoid damage and maintain performance.
- Check out some of our free jewellery-making tutorials for advice and inspiration!
For further advice, take a look at our handy blog on How to Make Jewellery at Home.
Choose Cooksongold for beginners’ jewellery making tools
At Cooksongold, we have a fantastic range of jewellery-making tools for beginners available. All our tools are premium quality and are designed to be user-friendly so you can learn your craft.
We have everything you need to begin confidently creating, from starter tool kits to individual items. We also provide a range of essential jewellery-making supplies, including precious metal sheets, wire, gemstones, chains and more. Dive into the world of jewellery-making today with Cooksongold!
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