Yes, I've been through all that with pliers. You need large pliers modified with a goove to maintain the roundness of the wire, and a strong grip.

For Silver wire which balls up, it is well worth getting a small hand held torch (which refills with lighter gas), because flattened balls make for a neater rivet head.

https://www.eternaltools.com/jewelle...cro-hand-torch. Dennis.