In this section of our web guide, we will focus on equipment, supplies, accessories, and other products used in jewelry design and beading, at the hobby or crafts level.
We have separate categories for Jewelry in the Consumer Goods section of our Business & Industry section for professional jewelers, another in the Crafts section of Arts & Literature which contains various informational resources for those engaged in jewelry as a craft, and yet another in our Shopping & eCommerce section for those who are interested in purchasing completed jewelry.
This category is not for jewelers or jewelry, but for those who produce or distribute the parts, the tools, and the supplies that go into jewelry making.
Whether as a hobbyist, a crafter, or a professional. jeweler, the right tools and materials are essential, although they may vary according to the purpose for which the jewelry is made.
While a hobbyist might be able to assembly jewelry at a desk or table, a jeweler's bench is designed specifically for jewelers, offering various storage places for tools and supplies, as well as a sturdy surface to work on.
Various types of pliers, including round-nose, chain-nose, and flat-nose pliers, can be used for tasks like shaping, bending, and holding pieces securely. Pliers designed specifically for this purpose might be used by professional jewelers or skilled craftspeople.
Jeweler's saws are used to cut intricate patterns in metal sheets or to cut gemstones. Blades come in different sizes and are chosen based on the material and complexity of the desired cut.
Files are used to smooth rough edges and surfaces, while buffers help to give the finished piece a polished shine. Different types of hammers, including ball-peen and chasing hammers, are used for shaping and texturing metal.
A jeweler's torch can be essential for soldering pieces together. This task requires skill and precision to create strong, seamless joints. For professionals, a polishing machine helps to achieve a high-gloss finish on metal surfaces.
Supplies that might be necessary for creating jewelry include various metals, such as gold, silver, copper, and platinum. Each metal has unique properties that influence the design and production process. Natural and synthetic gemstones add color and value to jewelry pieces, and may include diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, rubies, and other stones.
Available in many shapes, sizes, and materials, beads are a staple in many types of jewelry making, particularly for necklaces and bracelets.
Metal wire is used for making chains, rings, and intricate wire-wrapped designs. Pre-made chains can be customized or used as a basis for pendants and charms.
Accessories used in making jewelry may include clasps and findings. These small components, including lobster clasps, jump rings, and earring hooks, are essential for finishing several jewelry pieces.
Molds and casting supplies might be used for creating detailed shapes and designs. Lost-wax casting is a popular method in professional jewelry production. Engraving tools can be used to add a personalized touch to pieces. Tools like gravers and electric engravers are used to carve designs or text into metal surfaces.
To handle tiny details, jewelers use magnifying glasses, microscopes, or head-mounted magnifiers.
Other products might include computer-aided design (CAD) software for designing complex pieces before creating physical prototypes. Proper storage is important for keeping tools organized and to protect delicate components and other materials. These may include toolboxes, compartmentalized trays, and jewelry cases. To maintain the shine and appearance of finished pieces, jewelers use ultrasonic cleaners, polishing cloths, and cleaning solutions.
Beadwork is a form of jewelry making, particularly when it comes to bracelets and necklaces. However, many hobbyists and crafters focus on beading.
Of course, the most crucial element in beading is the beads. They come in various shapes, sizes, materials, and colors. Common types include seed beads, glass beads, crystal beads, wooden beads, and gemstone beads.
Beading thread and wire are used to string beads together, and may be made of nylon, polyester, and silk threads, as well as beading wire made from stainless steel or copper.
Beading needles are thin, flexible needles designed to pass through small bead holes. They come in various sizes, the most common being sizes 10 and 12.
A beading mat provides a soft, non-slip surface to work on, and storage containers are used to keep everything organized.
Recommended Resources
The online store offers a wide range of premium beads, seed beads, crystals, findings, tools, and other jewelry supplies, including products for beginning and experienced jewelry makers. Its product catalog includes jewelry supplies, Prestige Austrian crystal, new and noteworthy items, and discounts and sale items. Tutorials and a design studio (with video tutorials, live streams, and online courses) are included. Its history, product reviews, and job opportunities are included.
https://artbeads.com/
The popular online store based in the UK specializes in a range of beading supplies and jewelry-making materials. With a product line that includes beads, jewelry findings, pendants, charms, stringing materials, necklace chains, clasps, leather cords, Swarovski crystals, semi-precious stones, kits, books, magazines and other bead-craft supplies, many of which may be purchased through its online shopping site, the Bead Shop also holds beading classes at its shop in Manchester, England.
https://www.the-beadshop.co.uk/
Offering a wide range of products for beading, including seed beads, gemstone beads, metal beads, and others, as well as tools and kits for jewelry making, chain, pendants, and charms, Beadaholique is an online store that was founded in 1999. Originally in California, its warehouse is now located in Boise, Idaho. A product catalog, product reviews, and customer testimonials are featured. New and trending products are highlighted, contact data is provided, and gift cards are available.
https://beadaholique.com/
Based in the United Kingdom, the online retailer specializes in beads and other jewelry-making supplies. Included are beads made of glass, wood, metal, ceramic, and semi-precious stones, as well as seed beads, Swarovski crystals, tools, findings, and other jewelry making supplies and products, such as charms, pendants, and strings. Introductions, project suggestions, instructions, and an informational blog are included. Clearance items may also be available.
https://www.beadsunlimited.co.uk/
Offering more than 17,000 products from its 16,000 square foot warehouse in Toronto, Gesswein is a leading supplier of tools, equipment, and supplies for the jewelry industry. Its products include jewelry benches and chairs, air tools, casting, diamond compounds and tools, electroplating, engraving, files and rifflers, filters, hammers and mallets, measuring tools, pliers and nippers, power tools, scrapers and scribers, and other jewelry-making equipment and supplies.
https://www.gessweincanada.com/
Based in Sacramento, California, the jewelry supply distribution company has been in business for more than forty years, offering a wide range of jewelry-making supplies, including beads, findings, and tools, Swarovski crystals, stringing material, wire, chain, and metal, tools, jewelry displays, and packaging materials. The company also offers various discounts and deals, including 50% off on certain items, and free shipping on orders over $99 in the United States.
https://www.jewelrysupply.com/
With origins in the 1960s, including a retail jewelry store in 1972 that expanded to include a 750-page mail-order print catalog that became an online store, Rings & Things is a worldwide supplier of beads, jewelry findings, chain, wire, jewelry tools, and other jewelry-making supplies. Customers may shop the online store by product or brand. Its history, business hours, and contacts are provided on the website, which includes size charts, online registration, and shipping information.
https://rings-things.com/
Founded in 1944, Rio Grande is a jewelry-making equipment, tools, and supplies company based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In business since 1944, the company also provides metalsmithing tools and equipment, jewelry displays and packaging products, jewelry workbenches, casting machines and kilns, soldering and welding torches, gemstones, diamonds, and bead-stringing materials. Its products, sale and outlet items, brands, customizations, and services are set forth.
https://www.riogrande.com/
