Jewellery Making Tools for Beginners: A Simple Starter List

Jewellery making does not need a full workshop on day one. This list shows which tools to buy first, depending on the kind of jewellery you want to make, so you can start with a small kit and add to it as your skills grow.

Stage 1: beading and wire work

For earrings, bracelets, wire-wrapped pendants and beaded necklaces you need:

• Round nose, chain nose and flat nose pliers
• A side cutter or flush cutter for trimming wire
• Optional: looping or bail making pliers for even, repeatable loops

The easiest way to start is a jewellery pliers set. Our guide Best Jewellery Pliers Set for Beginners compares them. See also looping & bail pliers.

Stage 2: cutting, shaping and finishing metal

To work with silver, copper and brass sheet and wire, add:

• A jeweller's piercing saw frame and blades – see How to Fit a Jeweller's Saw Blade
• A set of needle files
• A chasing hammer and a small steel bench block or anvil
• A ring clamp or hand vice to hold small work

Browse bench tools, vices & saws and hammers & forming.

Stage 3: blanks, angles and repeat lengths

• Disc cutters for perfect round and shaped blanks
• A mitre vice or tube cutting jig for accurate angles and repeat lengths – see How to Use a Mitre Vice and Tube Cutting Jig

Stage 4: melting and casting

To melt scrap and pour ingots you need a crucible, crucible tongs, an ingot mould and a heat source. Our Melting Silver at Home: A Beginner's Kit List explains each item, and our casting & melting range includes complete kits. Always work on a heat-proof surface with gloves and eye protection.

Stage 5: setting stones

When you are ready to set stones, add stone setting tools such as prong pliers and bezel pushers, and fine tweezers for handling stones.

FAQs

See everything in one place: all jewellery making tools.