Starting your silversmith journey can seem overwhelming, but I’m here to help! This list gives you the basic tools and materials you’ll need! Happy crafting 🩶
Sections
3
Tools ⚒️
Metals
Safety 🥽
Tools ⚒️
You’ll need a small crock pot for your pickle. This is how you will clean your pieces after soldering!
Mainstays 2 Qt Manual Slow Cooker, Matte Black
Copper tongs are the ONLY tongs you’ll use to grab jewelry out of your pickle!
Rosenthal Curved Copper Tongs for Jewelry Pickle Pots (8.5in)
This is where you’ll saw back plates ect.
Megacast V-Slot Bench Pin C-Clamp
You’ll need this to solder your pieces together! I started out with a cheap handheld butane torch!
Pepetools Jewelers Blow Torch Tsunami XL
These are a must have to adjust tiny pieces of solder that might be hot or hard to reach!
Titanium Soldering Pick Set, 3
You’ll use this to hold pieces while soldering! It comes with extra attachments, which is a plus!
Hands-Free Tweezers Assortment with Third-Hand Base
It’s important to have a surface that can withstand high heat!
Long-Life Hard Charcoal Block
Another surface you can solder on. I use this when I need to heat a piece from the bottom!
Soldering Tripod Kit with Medium-Mesh Steel Screen
You need flux to make your solder flow!
Handy Flux for Soldering and Annealing - RioGrande
You’ll use this to “paint” your flux onto your piece
Non-Contaminating Flux Brush
Must have for shaping your metal without denting it
PITTSBURGH 1-1/2 lb. Soft Face Mallet
Needed to get accurate ring sizes
Ring Sizing Stick and Gauge Kit
Can cut up to 20 gauge
Soft Metal Shears
You’ll need to refill your torch
Ronson Multi-Fill Ultra American Butane Fuel Can - 290mL
Metals
This is what I use for back plates. I prefer 22 gauge for rings/pendants but there are other options available.
Sterling Silver 3" x 3" Sheet, Dead-Soft, Brushed Finish
The bigger the gauge number, the smaller the ring band!
Sterling Silver Half-Round Wire, Dead-Soft
This is what you’ll use to make your bezel (the part that wraps around the stone to hold it in place). I use mostly 3/16”. Depending on your cabochon height, you could also purchase 1/8” for smaller stones and 1/4” for larger stones.
.999 Fine Silver Strip, Dead-Soft
Safety 🥽
Protect your lungs!!!
3M OV Grey Reusable P100 Multi-Purpose Half Face Respirator
