10 Essentials For A Busy Jeweller

Essential products to help a busy jeweller

Jewellery making can be hard work! So if you find yourself rushed off your feet in the workshop, this post should give your some inspiration and maybe introduce you to some new products that will help you slow down.

We've selected 10 jewellery making supplies which will not only help you save time but also make the process more efficient!

Assorted Packs of Jewellery Supplies

Ever have those moments at the workbench when you need to quickly adapt, change or add something to your design but will have to completely stop what you are doing to source the materials? We do... a lot! Which is why we created a handy collection of different assorted packs.

Each assorted pack has a variety of options to choose from for different aspects and areas of jewellery making. There are 5 in total - findings for earrings, findings for bracelets and necklets, jump rings, head pins & eye pins and silver sheet. It is so handy to have these options ready and waiting when your are making.

Alligator Skin Protection Tape

Becasue there is no time for sore fingers to get in the way of jewellery making!

Alligator skin finger protection tape will protect your fingers from minor cuts, abrasions and burns. It provides great grip and more flexibility than protective gloves when filing, sanding, polishing, buffing, grinding, assembling and stone setting. It is thin and flexible and the clever part is that it only sticks to itself, so it leaves no sticky residue, it won't stick to clothing or hair and it is easily removed.

Beeswax

There is nothing more frustrating than when sawing metal and your blade keeps sticking. Well actually there is... when the blade snaps!

Beeswax helps the blade of your saw glide gently through the metal and assists in the prevention of 'sticking'. Swipe the back of the blade as it is the back of the blade that gets stuck and can cause binding up. Binding up is when the saw is being pushed through the metal sheet quickly or forcefully which can cause the blade to bend and break.

Gemstone Size Guide

Ordering gemstones over the internet is a tricky business - the exact size is not always obvious and having to return stones because they aren't the right size is a real time waster.

Our gemstone size guide was designed to help avoid this issue. It has accurate sizes of the popular stone sizes for cabochons and faceted stones and is immensely useful to help you visualise stone sizes when designing jewellery.

a30-sterling-silver-solder-paster-size-example-kernowcraft.jpg

Solder Paste With Syringe

We can't really think of a better time saver when it comes to soldering than our sterling silver solder paste. Not only does it stay where you want it to, making it very simple to use as well as much quicker and easier than traditional solder, but there is also no need for extra flux when creating as it is already mixed in with the paste.

Safety Pickle

Save crucial time in the polishing process by avoiding fire scale after soldering with safety pickle - one of the top jewellery workshop essentials!

Our safety pickle works quickest when it is warm so simply mix 1 teaspoonful with warm water in a covered glass or plastic container, immerse your pieces in the solution after soldering until the soldering residue has been re-moved.

Barrelling Machine For Polishing Metal

If you have a lot of metal jewellery to polish, the barrelling machine could quite possibly be the ultimate time saver. You can polish multiple pieces at a time and get on with something else whilst the machine works it's magic. We have found that 45 minutes to an hour is all it takes for a beautiful high shine, however it does depend on the designs you are polishing.

c298-set-of-8-sanding-and-polishing-sticks-kernowcraft.jpg

Sanding & Polishing Sticks

These emery sanding and polishing sticks make things more efficient when finishing and polishing your metal designs by hand.

The wooden base provides a good hard surface for sanding against which gives much quicker and more consistent results than loose papers. They have sanding or polishing paper on all four sides for ease of sanding, even in those hard to reach places. The paper will also last longer than when using loose emery papers as the solid backing makes them less liable to tear or wear unevenly.

Deluxe Diamond Coated Bead Reamer

We know we go on about the diamond coated bead reamer, but it really is one of the most handy-to-have tools we provide! It can be so frustrating when just a few of your gemstone beads don’t quite fit onto the thread or wire you have chosen. Having to re-consider your design or place an order for more is a real time waster.

The bead reamer enables you to gently enlarge the holes in stone, glass, ceramic beads as well as pearls. Used with water to lubricate and some gentle 'twists' is usually all it takes.

Dremel Multi Tool

If there is one tool that will make the whole jewellery making process more efficient, fast, professional and high quality It is the Dremel multi tool!

The Dremel is one of the most universal tools on the market and despite its small size it is surprisingly powerful. It offers numerous possibilities due to the multitude of accessories including detailed sanding, carving, engraving, cutting, grinding, cleaning and polishing.

Shop Multi Tool

A Few Extras...

Cutting this list down to ten was a little difficult for us... we could go on and on! But of course it all depends of the designs your are creating. Here's a few extras that are also really handy, time saving products....

The Multi Sizer Ring Sizing Gauge - An easy to use and extremely affordable ring size gauge. This reuseable, multisizer is a great little product to have on you at all times, after all, you never know when a ring commission may come about!

Sterling Silver Plain Edge Bezel Cups - Perfect for quick and easy calibrated stone setting.

Devcon Epoxy Glue - Our most recommended and reliable glue - use for quickly setting gemstones on flat plates or other similar settings or whenever you need that extra bit of security.

If you enjoyed this blog post you may also like: 10 Things Every Jeweller Should Have

For any further advice regarding the contents on this page or for any other general jewellery making enquires, please feel free to get in touch, we would love to hear from you

More Pages in This Category

If you have any further questions, feel free to call our friendly team who will be more than happy to give you some advice through Facebook, Twitter, Email or simply calling us on 01872 573888 8.30am-4.30pm.

Alternatively, for more information and how to's on all areas of jewellery making visit our other Gemstone Setting Advice pages.

What Our Customers Say...

Christine Wood

Just want to say a very big thank you for your quick delivery and excellent service. The stones I ordered arrived this morning, the quality and price are second to none. I was delighted with my purchase. Thank you so much.

Marshal

Thank you to the lady who went to a great deal of trouble to find a very small opal that fitted a bezel cup. The work is now complete and looks very nice - my wife is delighted with the result.

Lynn Carson

I bought the sand dollar charm to make a holiday bracelet. It’s really lovely, subtle and pretty detail. Perfect piece and exactly as described.

April Luescher

Beautiful quality and colours - I rarely buy semi-precious stones anywhere else these days. Very helpful, superb service, speedy delivery. What more could anyone want?

Julia Schofield

I’ve used Kernowcraft as a supplier for findings and pearls since beginning my business 8 years ago, because I know I can absolutely rely on the quality I get. The service is pretty impeccable too.

Lenna

Hi, just a quick email to thank you for my cross and chain - I love it. What a speedy service - ordered it yesterday and wearing it tonight. Thank you very much.

Lauren Jodie Piercy

Beautiful gemstones and a lot of choice. Running competitions and being interactive as well really sets them apart. Keep up the interesting content.

Helen Bowles

I felt compelled to write to you, as I'm so impressed with your quick service! I've been a Kernowcraft customer for years and have never had anything but reliable, efficient service from you.

Frank Wilson

It is always a joy to deal with your Company and your hints and tips always help me to improve my skills and encourage my interests. Thank you for caring about us small enthusiastic silversmiths!

I added a special request for moonstones with strong blue/green flashes and received 3 briolettes which were exactly that - some of the prettiest moonstones I’ve seen. Thank you!

Daniel Coe

The customer service I have received from you and the help has been second to none. If only all companies were so helpful and understanding that i am a complete newbie. The retail world would be a better place.

Jaquie

It can be difficult to order gemstones online - no such worries with Kernowcraft - you really do care about your products & clients and it shows.

Kim Thomson

I have been using Kernowcraft since 1997 and still regularly recommend them to all my students.

Catriona

Thank you for my recent order as I'm blown away by all the lovely pieces. I don't really know what to start work on first. Thank you for supplying top quality items on a easy to use website.

Claire Hall

Kernowcraft is my go to for all my gemstones! Their stones are the first ones I show when offering my clients stone choices and I can't recommend their customer service enough! This is a company that cares!

Rhiannon Piper

The opal I received is absolutely amazing and just perfect. Its such a beautiful stone and I tried it with my wedding dress yesterday and its just set it off so well.

George Inglis

Great looking website, one of the best I've seen and used. Good search function, good range of products, good prices and great advice for jewellery makers of all abilities. All-in-all a great site and one I'll use again and again.

Joel Martin

Great, easy to navigate website with wonderful clear photographs. I look forward to receiving my order... it's going to be like Christmas!

Maggi Henman

I’ve just had my first order from you and I am so pleased with the fast delivery and the quality of the products. The satin cords and the findings really finished off my ceramic jewellery.

Jenny Kirkwood

Love the service you get and appreciate the range of products on offer. I just used the alligator tape for the first time and found myself asking - where have you been all my life?

Deborah Roberts-Barter

I have sent a couple of email enquiries today, which have been really quickly answered. This customer service is what made me order with you straight away!

Sarah Tiley

Whenever I feel unsure as to where to purchase any stones or jewellery requirements I always go back to what is familiar. Thank you Kernowcraft for being true to your customers.

Vivienne Sadler

Always too many temptations, but a joy to look through. Thank you for such good service. I have to be very strict with myself when I visit your website!

Lydia Farrow

Just to say that I have always had the best possible results for every order - however small and all your products are of excellent quality.

Frank Wilson

I have grown as a jewellery maker over the last year or so due to the encouragement the team have given me - they are all experienced jewellery makers or keen crafters. They have helped to guide me through my inventory, offered helpful tips and advice on all manner of silver working.

Janice Scragg

Your website is easy to use, your products excellent, nice friendly service on the phone and delivery quick, excellent. Thank you and well done Kernowcraft. Gold star!

Jill Hammersely

I just wanted to say a massive thank you to the team, particularly the ladies that helped me yesterday. Delivery took less than 24hrs, that's amazing. The quality of both cabochons and settings are stunning.

Mihaela Ciubotaru

I am very happy with my products... it is wonderful to have a reliable source of materials and gems with a fast delivery and a lot of tips on how to use the tools we buy.

Eve

The stones are excellent quality, and the special request I put in for dark citrines and paired malachites has been met perfectly. I am delighted with Kernowcraft, and will be back!

Helen

Just wanted to say thank you for picking such beautiful stones for my order. I'm halfway through making a ring for my daughter and the rose cut rainbow moonstones are particularly yummy. Thank you!

Gloria Williams

I just came across your online shop and my first reaction was wow! It has everything i need to carry on with my jewellery making. I've seen things that i have been looking for and couldn't find in so many other shops!

Catherine Warwick

Just received my order that I placed only yesterday. I wanted to say thank you! I am delighted with the choice of cabochon, setting and books. Now I have to read up on how to set it! FABULOUS SERVICE - Thank you!

Denise Mountain Pike

I recently ordered a couple of replacement stones from you and I'd just like to say how happy I am with my purchase and very impressed with the friendly helpful service you gave. Thank you very much.

Dorota Todd

I just wanted to say how impressed I am with the quality of pearls in my recent order! Thank you so much for taking time and matching them into pairs, it's very appreciated. Thank you and I am definitely going to buy at your store in the future.

Hayley Meredith

I just wanted to say thank you for the amazing service from Kernowcraft. I find your website easy to navigate, products good quality and the delivery is second to none!

Claire

I just wanted to say a big thank you for the beautiful sapphires that arrived today. Hannah picked out just what I wanted and I’m over the moon with them.