When most jewelry makers start out in the craft, professional results and finishes are often just out of reach. But cut yourself some slack. It’s very difficult to achieve a perfect design, perfect fabrication, and…
Out of all my hand tools, my jeweler’s saw is the one I have owned the longest and love the most. Sawing is one of those tasks that calm, center, and typically delight me –…
In addition to a good-quality chasing hammer, every jeweler’s bench should be equipped with yet another indispensable utility hammer: a goldsmith’s hammer. This classic, all-purpose tool is designed for fabrication and general jewelry-making tasks, and…
When I first discovered Mitchell’s Abrasive Cords and Tapes (1020999) from the Gesswein Tool Catalog, I felt as if I’d stumbled upon a stunning hidden treasure that no jewelry maker I knew had ever seen,…
September 14, 1962 – December 13, 2021 It is with great sadness that we announce our beloved Expert Technician, Americo Modesto Rebelo, recently passed away in his home on Monday, December 13th at age 59.…
In my Intro to Jewelry and Metals course more than two decades ago, the first tools I ever made were a complete set of handmade sanding sticks. I’ve used that set ever since and changed…
Early on in my jewelry making career, I primarily wanted to visualize an idea and work hard to make it real, so I rarely brought anything I’d fabricated to a final finish. When I got…
Up until recently, nearly every piece of jewelry I made featured a rivet somewhere. Drilling holes in metal, glass, stone and other jewelry materials is a way of life for me, so I consider myself…
Every year, dozens of new jewelry-making plier styles hit the market and much like seasonal fashions, it’s always so tempting to buy a few new trendy or different pieces to hopefully augment the classics you’ve…
When performing those everyday jewelry making tasks like tapping, riveting, texturing, stamping, and . . . um . . . chasing, a really good utility hammer quickly becomes one of those often-reached-for and most-used hand…