Jewelry-making is the art of creating wearable pieces from materials such as metals, stones, and beads. It can be a hobby or a business.
In the past, jewelry makers used a variety of techniques to shape and create their designs. Some of these techniques are still used today, such as lost-wax casting and wax carving.
Basic Tools
Jewelry Making is an exciting and rewarding hobby to take up and there are a wide range of tools to choose from. However, before you spend a lot of money on different equipment it is important to assess the basic tools that are essential to getting started.
Wire cutters are a must-have in any jewellery maker’s toolkit. They allow you to cut wires to size and snip off headpins and eye pins from your finished jewellery piece.
Round nose pliers are also an essential tool for any beginner jewellery maker and can be used for creating loops on wire bails, dangling beads and more. The jaws on these pliers taper down which allows you to make the size of loop that you need for your project.
Another tool that is essential to any jewellery maker’s toolkit is a crimping tool. This helps to secure beads or stones on a wire so they cannot move on either side of the wire.
Beads
Beads are a great way to add color and texture to your jewelry. They come in a variety of sizes and shapes and are used to make earrings, necklaces, brooches, bracelets and rings.
Beads can be made from natural or synthetic materials, such as metal, plastic and glass. They also vary in their finishes, colors and patterns.
Crystal beads are a special type of glass that is faceted, which gives them a smooth surface and high reflectivity. They are very popular and are often paired with other types of beads to create unique designs.
Pearls are a very popular type of bead as they are natural and are available in many different colors. They can be carved, painted or dyed and are a great addition to your jewelry collection.
Japanese Seed Beads – Toho bead makers produce consistent glass seed beads for bead weaving, looming and embroidery. Their high-quality, precision-made seed beads are available in a wide range of shapes and sizes to help you craft your perfect designs.
Wire
A wire is a flexible, cylindrical piece of metal. It can be used for electrical or mechanical purposes, but is most often associated with jewelry-making and art.
Wire comes in many shapes and sizes, so it’s important to choose the right one for your project. Besides the gauge (spelled gage in the US), you’ll also want to consider its hardness, which will make a difference in the way it works with your jewelry-making tools and techniques.
Dead soft is a common choice for wire, and it’s easy to bend and form. However, it doesn’t hold its shape well and can be easily bent out of shape if you don’t handle it properly.
Half hard is similar to dead soft but it holds its shape better and is easier to work with. Full hard is harder and more resistant to bending, but it’s also difficult to work with.
Different wires are made of different metals, and you can choose from a variety of finishes. There are plated, filled (overlay), solid, and enamel-coated options, as well as gold and silver wires.
Metal
Creating jewelry from metal can be a fun and rewarding experience. However, it is important to know the different types of metal available to you so you can make the right choice for your jewelry project.
The most commonly used metals for jewelry making are gold, silver and platinum. These are precious metals and are considered expensive and rare compared to non-precious metals such as copper, brass and steel.
Other commonly used jewelry metals include nickel, zinc and tin. These metals are often alloyed with other elements such as titanium, ruthenium and iridium to create stronger and more durable jewelry components.
Stainless steel is a strong, corrosion resistant material that was first discovered in 1913. It is extremely hard and scratch resistant, but it should be avoided by people with metal allergies or those who wear watches or jewelry with metal bands.
