Jun 15, 2020 | Jewelry Making, JEWELRY MAKING SUPPLIES
With any job, the right tools are essential to success. Without them, you’ll waste precious time scrambling to collect the tools you need, or resorting to time-consuming, quality-reducing workarounds. Though the tools you will need will depend, to some extent, on the type of jewelry you are making, there are several tools that will play an essential role in your beading tools and supplies kit.
Essential Jewelry Making Tools
These general beading tools play a pivotal role in every jewelry supply kit, from beginner to advanced:
- Pliers
You will need a few different types of pliers when you begin your beading journey. These include:
- Needle Nose/Chain Nose Pliers
These handy pliers are great for reaching into small spaces, as well as working with jump rings, crimping beads, and bending and managing many types of findings. Some have teeth, and some do not. Those with teeth grip better but may leave unwanted marks on your jewelry if you squeeze them too hard. Toothless models prevent this – but may send items sailing through the air given their limited gripping capacity.
- Flat Nose Pliers
Flat nose pliers are ideal for pulling, providing better grip. The square edge profile also allows you to create sharp corners more easily. These are also available with/without teeth.
- Bent Nose Pliers
These needle nose pliers feature a strongly bent front end that allows you to reach into a variety of places straight pliers cannot.
- Round Nose Pliers
The smooth, rounded jaws of these pliers are great for making wire loops like jump rings or winding wire wrapping, providing a smooth curve, and preventing crimping.
- Cutting Tools
A good pair of wire cutters and a good pair of scissors are essential, whether you are cutting wire, chain, string, or ribbons.
- Findings
We offer a variety of sterling silver beads and findings and gold filled beads and findings, including clasps, clips, ear wires, headpins, and more – because one can never have too many findings when planning a new jewelry making project.
- Adhesive
Good adhesive ensures your knots will stay put, safeguarding your beautiful design.
- Tool or Tackle Box
Keep your tools organized, nearby, and at-the-ready with a tool, tackle, or cosmetics box.
Other Specialized Tools You Might Like to Include
These extra tools and accessories may also be helpful:
- Specialty Pliers.
- Crimping Pliers
These are shaped perfectly for crimping beads and tubes, so you don’t accidentally cut through threads and wires.
- Tweezers
A pair of household tweezers can help you pick up beads, thread needles, tie knots, and pull threads.
Time to stock up for your upcoming project? Save time and money. Shop the wide variety of affordable beads and jewelry making supplies at CrystalFindings today.
Oct 9, 2018 | GOLD FILLED BEADS, JEWELRY MAKING SUPPLIES
A lot of people are making the wrong assumptions about many jewelry supplies, especially gold filled beads. If you choose to get them for your jewelry making, you need to know what they truly are so you can properly market them to the right people in the right way. If you are into jewelry making, it is also crucial that you get educated about other beads and jewelry making supplies so that you can craft the best jewelry and market it the right way
Before we dive into the list of misconceptions, let us talk a little about some basic facts first. Legally, gold-filled items should have at least 5% of gold. This percentage will be identified using the gold alloy’s karat-age. Many gold-filled items in the market today are either 12kt or 14kt.
#1 – Inability to Cast
There are a lot of people who are getting confused about the ability of a gold-filled item to be cast. To be clear, remember that gold-filled items do not have the ability to be cast. This is a limitation that many people who are using gold filled items for jewelry making have to deal with. The products that are attached to it should be manufactured from the tube, sheet, or gold filled wire.
#2 – Gold-Filled Solder
There is no exact reason why the term “gold-filled solder” came to be. In actuality, this does not really exist. Normally, to get the illusion that a solder is gold-filled, color matching is done. The solder joint and the surface metal are color-matched by a 14kt gold solder.
Moreover, soldering a gold-filled item should not be done without a special tool operated by a person who underwent a special training. In most cases, gold-filled soldering needs a laser welder to make the joints as precise as possible.
#3 – Gold-Filled vs. Gold
A lot of jewelry makers who are creating jewelry using gold filled beads call them “gold”. This should not really be done and is illegal. If something is called gold, it means that the item is a very solid alloy that contains a high gold content. Gold-filled items are not like this.
As much as possible, do not use the term “gold” for pieces that are actually made with gold-filled items. If you make this a habit, you could get yourself into legal issues.
#4 – Gold-Filled vs. Gold Plate
Gold-filled items should not be confused with gold plating. A gold plate is a very thin layer of gold spread on a base made of brass. Because it is so thin, it does not really contribute to the weight of the whole item. Compared to gold filled items, gold plates wear off easier and quicker. Gold plates also cannot withstand extreme heat or temperature.
On the other hand, gold-filled items have 5% gold in it. Because it has more amount of gold, it adds up to the total weight of the product. Additionally, gold-filled items and findings can be more durable and reliable, providing protection from tarnishing and wearing of the main product.
If you are looking for a more affordable but acceptable quality alternative for solid gold, gold filled beads and items can be your best bet. They offer the best features that make up the characteristics of solid gold while maintaining the price at mid-level.
