We know that starting your jewellery making journey can be overwhelming which is why, as a part of our how to make jewellery hub we’re giving you some helpful advice, tips, guides and more on a range of jewellery making. Here we’ve listed what we think are some essential tools you’ll need in your stone setting kit.
No jeweller’s workbench is complete without stone setting tools. A go-to for many designs, stone setting is one of the most common techniques for jewellery makers. But what stone setting equipment do you need to do the job? From a pushers through to ring clamps, we’ll guide you through the essential tools needed for stone setting.
Pushers, bezel rollers and burnishers
Pushers
The first item for your stone setting tool kit is a pusher. Ideal for use when setting faceted gemstones in claw settings. The pusher is a useful jewellery stone setting tool for ensuring the prongs are securely held in place over the stone.
To use simply apply a small amount of pressure to push the claws or bezels are over the stone. With a handle shaped to fit comfortably in the palm of your hand, you can get a good grip of the pusher, maximising the accuracy and control of your movements.
Bezel Roller
Alongside a pusher, which is used more for claw settings, you will also need a bezel roller in your stone setting kit. This tool is used more on bezel and rubover settings, allowing you to push metal over a stone without leaving any marks on the metal.
Burnishers
Another one of the tools needed for stone setting is a burnisher. This piece of kit is mainly used to smoothen your metal jewellery pieces during the setting process and make them shine.
All you need to do to get this professional, polished look is rub down your design. A burnisher works particularly well with gold, copper and sterling silver. In a few strokes your piece will start to gleam.
Other useful stone setting tools
Ring clamps
A ring clamp is used to hold a ring or small piece of jewellery in place while you work on it. This helps to prevent any accidents from happening during the stone setting process.
All you need to do is remove the wedge, position the ring in the felt lined jaws and then re-tap the wedge back in so the design is secure and ready to work on.
For more advanced jewellery workholding solutions don’t forget to check out our range of GRS equipment.
Needle files
Used to shape and finish metal, needle files are essential stone setting tools, especially if you’re new to the technique. Needle files are great if you haven’t quite got the height of your bezel right.
Working on a claw setting? If the claws are proving difficult to set over the stone, use your needle file to remove some of the inner metal. It should then be easier to manipulate.
A pendant drill
For more advanced stone setters you’ll want to make sure you have a pendant drill in your kit. A pendant drill or rotary tool, is ideal for more precision tasks such as prong setting or other stone setting.
We stock a variety of different pendant drills including this Foredom SR Jewellers Kit or for beginners the Dremel multi tool.
A pendant drill can be used with a wide variety of burrs, making the adjustment of depths a much faster and simpler process. To ensure you have the right sized seats for your stones, pick up a set of 11 stone setting burrs – available in a range of widths, from 3.5mm to 8mm.
Learn more about our advanced gemstone setting tools and techniques below
Looking to take your stone setting to the next level? Use our visual guide on advanced gemstone setting tools and techniques below for some inspiration.
Now you know the essential tools for stone setting, what’s stopping you from getting started? Pick up all the jewellery tools you need for your projects at Cooksongold. For more information and advice, browse the how to make jewellery section of our website – so you can develop your jewellery making knowledge further.
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