Jewelry Making Tools and Techniques

Chains can be made from various materials, including gold, silver, brass, copper, steel, and aluminum.

Applying a thin layer of another metal to a metal chain to enhance appearance, improve durability, and reduce corrosion.

Soldered chains have connected links, preventing stretching and breakage, while unsoldered chains have separate links suitable for decoration.

A process of flattening wire links in a press to increase surface area, making the chain appear brighter and shinier.

Stretching round or oval links to elongate their shape and make them narrower, altering the chain's appearance.

A process that curves metal links or leaves hammer marks to the chain for added interest and texture.

A hammering technique that imparts a multifaceted surface to the chain links, enhancing reflectivity and texture.

Applying textures, ranging from lines to patterns, to the surface of metal chains for visual interest and unique designs.

The most secure type of ring.

Small rings used to attach charms and clasps to chains or rings.

Pliers designed to easily attach and hold split rings open.

Pliers with smooth, cone-shaped ends for making loops.

Pliers with tapered, rounded jaws for crimping, gripping wire.

Pliers for folding and securing crimp beads to jewelry.

Used for shaping rings, clasps, ear wires, etc.

Pliers with flat jaws for larger gripping surface

Flexible beading wire cutters snip through the nylon and metal layers of flexible beading wire easily. They have small tips for precise cutting of delicate wires.

Memory wire cutters are specifically designed for cutting hard steel memory wire. Using other tools can damage their blades.

A side cutter, also called a flush cutter, cuts hard wire. Its notched and flat blades create a close cut for small projects.

A ball-peen hammer flattens and hardens wire and wire shapes. It has a rounded head on one end and a flat head on the other, made of heat-forged steel for durability.

A chasing hammer, with a forged steel head on a wooden handle, has a large face for flattening and a ball-peen side for creating a hammered look.

A mallet, with a wood or rubber head, delivers a softer blow than a metal-headed hammer. It's used in wireworking.

A bench block is a flat steel plate that provides a surface for flattening and hardening wire and wire shapes, used with wireworking hammers.

A wire jig helps create consistent and even coils, curls, and swirls in wire. It has a grid of holes with small pegs where you wrap the wire in different patterns.

Jewelry made using flexible, springy memory wire that retains its shape. It's often used for beading and making simple bracelets or necklaces.

Specialized cutters designed to cleanly cut memory wire without damaging the blades. Regular wire cutters can damage the wire and the tool.

Small, circular rings used to attach clasps, charms, or pendants to jewelry pieces. They can be opened and closed for attaching components.

Gently pushing one side of the ring away from the other using flat nose pliers to avoid breaking the wire.

Wiggle the ends of the ring back and forth to close any gap and ensure a secure connection.

Place the tip of the pliers between the coil layers, squeeze to open, attach the chain/charm, and then slide it until it moves freely.

Securing the ends of a hoop earring by bending one end and hooking it into a loop on the other end.

A technique where wire is wrapped around itself to create a secure loop, often used for attaching strands in jewelry.

A small bead that flattens when squeezed with pliers, securing wire or string to a loop.

A cone-shaped bead used to create a clean and finished look, often hiding knots or bead tips.

A type of spring-tempered steel wire that always returns to its original shape, ideal for bracelets and necklaces.

A method to secure ends on memory wire involving creating loops and using crimps.

A small, often metal, piece used to secure string or wire to a bead, offering a clean finish.

Cones are used to create a professional finish on multistrand necklaces, concealing knots and bead tips.

An alloy of pure gold mixed with other metals (like copper and zinc) to increase its durability and workability.

A process where a layer of 14K or 18K gold is bonded to a base metal (brass or copper).

A thin layer of karat gold is electroplated onto a base metal (brass or steel).

A process where 14K or higher karat gold is flash-plated or micron-plated onto a sterling silver core.

An alloy of gold and white metals (zinc, nickel, or silver) that is often rhodium-plated for durability.

An alloy of gold and copper resulting in a reddish or pinkish hue, with the copper amount influencing the color.

An alloy of silver and copper. It's a durable and affordable material commonly used in jewelry.

Mixing metals in jewelry helps to improve durability, workability, and create different colors and finishes.