Best Jewellery Making Tools, Pliers & Cutters 2023

When you're making jewellery, accuracy is everything.

To complete intricate work well, you need the right tools for the job.

In this post, we’ll detail the best jewellery tools you need for bending rings, making beads and polishing metal.

Best Jewellery Tools

Looking to save money? You can get a discount on buying individual pliers by purchasing a jewellery plier kit instead.

Flat Nosed Parallel Pliers

Flat nose pliers are excellent for gripping and bending metal. They have two flat jaws that allow you to get a secure grip on the piece. Choosing parallel-action pliers will spread the grip evenly across the surface, increasing security and preventing any pinch point damage.

These are excellent when creating a bracelet with flat metal links, allowing you to grip and bend the links into the right shape. Regular pliers typically won't offer you enough accuracy, and you'll end up creating uneven bends.

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Soft Jaw Parallel Pliers

Soft jaw parallel pliers are used when you’re manipulating and gripping precious metals or materials that could be easily damaged. The plastic jaws ensure no metal-on-metal contact, preventing any indentation or marks. The parallel action further helps with this, spreading the pressure evenly across the jewellery.

Perfect for setting a delicate opal stone into a pendant without scratching the surface of the stone. Typical metal jaw pliers would scratch or damage it, diminishing its value and beauty.

Round Jaw Pliers

Round jaw pliers are ideal for bending wire into loops or making rings. There are various types of round nose pliers, to account for different working methods and tasks.

These include pliers with two round jaws, pliers with one round and one flat jaw, and pliers with one half round and one flat jaw. Using a parallel-action mechanism ensures they have better grip, without overly compressing or damaging the wire during tricky bends.

Ideal for crafting earrings with a spiral wire design, which is simply not possible with flat jaw pliers. They allow you to be far more creative with your designs.

Jewellery Side Cutters

Side cutters are perfect for creating clean and neat cuts in wire. The diagonal jaws spread the wire apart (as opposed to a scissor action), creating a nice finish, which is essential with jewellery. Choosing a set with a return-spring will help you reset quickly when making multiple cuts.

Excellent for trimming the end of silver wire after making your wire-wrapped ring, where scissors or weaker pliers would go blunt or create frayed wire ends that are hard to make neat.

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Metal Rulers

Metal safety rulers are used for accurately measuring materials for consistency during jewellery making. As you may need to mark materials with something very sharp, choosing a safety ruler will keep your fingers well out of the way, making them the safest option.

Perfect for measuring a piece of gold sheet to cut it for a cuffed bracelet, where a tape measure wouldn't offer the precision needed.

Jewellery Crimping Pliers

You can use flat nosed pliers to squash crimps, but they often create sharp edges. Jewellery crimping pliers squash and mould the crimps into tight balls while smoothing out the sharp edges, creating a strong connection, and adding a professional touch to jewellery.

Excellent for securing the ends of a beaded necklace with crimp beads, when other pliers might squash them and create sharp, uncomfortable edges.

Bench Vice

If you’re struggling to hold your piece of jewellery while manipulating it, then a bench vice will be a good investment for you. You can keep a tight grip on your piece, while keeping both hands free to work on the jewellery.

Burrs

Burrs are used to remove excess metal and other materials from your jewellery piece. They come in various shapes and sizes, designed for specific shapes. As an example, you can get a stone setting burr to enlarge and put bevels on holes used for gemstones.

Nylon Head Hammer

If you’re working with metal bullion, then using a nylon head hammer will let you form it without marking it. They can be used for forming and truing metal pieces.

Anvil

A jewellery anvil will help you form metal accurately. Choosing an anvil with a rounded side and a square side gives you multiple options when working with metal.

Tweezers

When you’re working with very small pieces, or working with very hot metal, then tweezers are essential. Look for a pair with insulated handles, to prevent heat from conducting through them and burning your hand. They can also be used to hold items when soldering.

Ring Mandrel

A ring mandrel is a long, round steel tool tapered to a point, designed for forming metal wire or sheet into rings. For accurate shapes, make sure you secure it in a vice beforehand.

Soldering Tools

If you’re looking to solder metal together, you’ll need a soldering block to protect your workbench from heat, and a torch to properly heat the solder. Look for a small torch designed for jewellery making for increased accuracy.

Files

Files are essential for finishing off metal work after you’ve bonded it. They are used to create a smooth surface that’s appropriate for jewellery worn over the skin.

Polishing Paper

Polishing paper is used to polish metal to a shiny finish. It’s ideal for all metal jewellery. If you end up needing to polish a lot during your workday, then upgrading to a polishing power tool is a good option.

Saws

A jewellery saw is excellent for cutting metal tubes and metal sheeting. You should saw pieces on your anvil to prevent damage to your workbench.

Safety and Organization

While not specific tools, it's always important to consider safety and workplace organization when discussing tools.

For safety, it's best to use the following items during jewellery making:

• Safety googles
• Dust masks
• Finger protectors or gloves
• Aprons or protective clothing

It's also recommended to have a well-ventilated workspace.

For organization, make sure you have a tidy toolbox, a bead storage system, and a labelling system.

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed our post on the best jewellery tools.

Browse our related posts below, or contact us with any questions:

• What are Jewellery Making Pliers?
• Best Jewellery Pliers
• Jewellery Making Tools for Beginners
• How to Cut Hard Wire

Maun are proud to be members of the National Association of Jewellers. Every NAJ member is required to abide by the NAJ's Code of Conduct based on honesty, integrity and professionalism. The grant of arms gives customers peace of mind that they are dealing with a jewellery business they can trust.