Tools and Equipment Needed for Jewelry Design Schools and Training

Jewelry design is a craft that blends artistry with technical precision. Aspiring jewelers require specialized tools and equipment to transform their creative visions into tangible, wearable art. Jewelry design schools provide the necessary resources and instruction, equipping students with the skills and knowledge to succeed in the industry. This article outlines the essential tools and equipment you will likely encounter and need during your jewelry design education.

Bench Tools: The Foundation of Jewelry Making

Bench tools are fundamental for jewelry creation. These are the tools that you will use constantly at your workbench.

  • Jeweler's Bench: A sturdy, specialized workbench with a cutout for comfort and a catch tray for collecting filings and small parts.
  • Bench Pin: A small, V-shaped piece of wood that mounts to the bench and provides a stable surface for sawing, filing, and other bench operations.
  • Files: Various shapes (flat, half-round, round, square, triangle) and cuts (coarse, medium, fine) are essential for shaping, smoothing, and refining metal.
  • Saw Frame and Blades: A jeweler's saw frame holds fine saw blades used for intricate cutting and piercing of metal. Different blade sizes are needed for varying metal thicknesses. Consider visiting Gemological Institute of America (GIA) to learn more about jewelry metalworking.
  • Pliers: Including chain-nose, round-nose, flat-nose, and bending pliers are used for gripping, shaping, and manipulating wire and other materials.
  • Tweezers: Used for handling small stones, beads, and findings. Different tip shapes (straight, curved, pointed) offer versatility.
  • Scribers: Sharp, pointed tools used for marking lines and designs on metal.
  • Dividers: Used for accurately transferring measurements and marking circles or arcs.
  • Hammers: Different types of hammers, such as chasing hammers, planishing hammers, and rawhide mallets, are used for forming, shaping, and texturing metal.
  • Anvils and Stakes: Used as a solid surface for hammering and forming metal. Stakes are specialized anvils with various shapes for specific forming tasks.

Soldering Equipment: Joining Metals

Soldering is a crucial skill in jewelry making, requiring specific tools to join metal pieces effectively.

  • Torch: A gas torch, typically using propane or butane, provides the heat necessary to melt solder. Different torch tips offer varying flame sizes for different soldering tasks.
  • Soldering Block: A heat-resistant surface, usually made of ceramic or charcoal, on which to solder. It reflects heat back onto the piece, improving soldering efficiency.
  • Solder: An alloy of metals with a lower melting point than the base metals being joined. Different solder grades are available for different applications (hard, medium, easy).
  • Flux: A chemical compound applied to the metal surfaces to prevent oxidation during soldering and promote solder flow.
  • Pickle: An acid solution used to remove oxidation and fire scale from metal after soldering.
  • Copper Tongs: Used for safely removing pieces from the pickle solution.
  • Third Hand Tool: A helpful tool with adjustable arms and clips to hold pieces in place during soldering.

Metal Forming Equipment: Shaping and Texturing

Metal forming involves manipulating metal into desired shapes and textures, often requiring specialized equipment.

  • Rolling Mill: Used to reduce the thickness of metal sheets and wire, as well as impart textures.
  • Draw Plate: A steel plate with a series of graduated holes used to draw wire to smaller diameters.
  • Swage Block: A steel block with various shaped depressions used for forming metal into specific shapes.
  • Dapping Block and Punches: Used for creating domed or curved shapes in metal.
  • Hydraulic Press: A powerful tool used for forming metal with the aid of dies. (More advanced and may not be available in basic courses)

Polishing and Finishing Equipment: Achieving a Professional Look

Polishing and finishing are essential for achieving a professional-looking piece of jewelry.

  • Flex Shaft: A versatile rotary tool with interchangeable attachments for grinding, sanding, polishing, and texturing.
  • Polishing Motor: A dedicated motor with tapered spindles for mounting polishing buffs and wheels.
  • Polishing Compounds: Abrasive compounds used with polishing buffs to remove scratches and create a high shine. Tripoli is used for cutting, while rouge is used for final polishing.
  • Tumbler: A machine used to polish metal pieces by tumbling them in a barrel with abrasive media.
  • Ultrasonic Cleaner: Used to clean jewelry by using high-frequency sound waves to remove dirt and grime.
  • Sandpaper: Used in various grits to smooth metal surfaces.

Casting Equipment: Creating Replicas and Complex Designs

Casting is a process used to create replicas of designs or to produce complex shapes.

  • Wax Injector: Used to inject molten wax into molds to create wax models for casting.
  • Investing Equipment: Includes a vacuum casting machine, burnout oven, and other equipment needed to prepare molds for casting.
  • Melting Furnace: Used to melt metal for casting.
  • Casting Machine: Used to force molten metal into the prepared mold. This could be centrifugal or vacuum assisted.

Stone Setting Tools: Securing Gemstones

Setting stones securely and attractively requires specific tools and techniques.

  • Setting Burs: Small rotary tools used to create seats for stones in metal.
  • Bezel Rocker: Used to push the bezel edge of metal over a stone to secure it.
  • Pushers: Used to push prongs or bezels over stones.
  • Gravers: Used for cutting and shaping metal around stones.
  • Ring Mandrel: A tapered steel rod used to size and shape rings.

Safety Equipment: Protecting Yourself

Safety is crucial when working with tools and equipment. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) can provide guidance on jewelry-making workplace safety.

  • Safety Glasses or Goggles: Essential for protecting eyes from flying debris.
  • Dust Mask or Respirator: Protects lungs from harmful dust and fumes.
  • Ear Protection: Protects hearing from loud noises generated by some tools and equipment.
  • Apron: Protects clothing from dirt, chemicals, and metal filings.
  • Ventilation: Proper ventilation is essential when soldering, casting, and using chemicals.

Jewelry Design Software and Technology

Increasingly, jewelry design schools incorporate digital tools.

  • CAD (Computer-Aided Design) Software: Programs like RhinoGold, MatrixGold, or 3Design are used to create 3D models of jewelry designs.
  • 3D Printer: Used to create physical prototypes of jewelry designs from CAD models.

Summary of Jewelry Design Tools and Equipment

Jewelry design training requires access to a wide array of tools, equipment, and software. This equipment empowers students to develop the skills and techniques necessary to bring their creative visions to life. Mastering the usage of these tools under the guidance of experienced instructors prepares graduates for success in the jewelry industry.