The Value of Quality and Cost: The Jewelry Maker's Tool Kit

Some jewellery pliers. Photo : Mauro Cateb, Brazilian jeweler. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When looking at the basic kit of every jewelry maker and crafting master you see a wonderful variety of pliers and cutters, from the simple flat pliers to the more complex tier pliers.  As each artist and designer ages and advances their techniques they start to intricate newer, more advanced tools to change their designs into more intricate pieces.

Throughout history humanity has worked to create beautiful, unique jewelry creations and in order to do that they have invented new tools to improve their chances.  Pliers are among the most useful and well used tools in a designers tool kit, and the quality of the pliers you choose can also determine the quality of the designs produced.

pliers (and cutters) are a girl's best friend (Photo credit: jamelah)

Pliers have consisted of a basic design since their conception, and it consists of the pivot, the handles, and the head.  Each of the these pieces plays an important role in how well constructed the tool is and how well the quality of the finished product will appear.  When looking for a well put together pair of pliers you want to look at not only what the head is constructed from but also the material of the grips and whether they are heavy duty or not.

When I look for a pliers set that is well suited for jewelry making I want to keep in mind that I will be producing designs with materials that can mark and scuff easily so the tools I use are important to the quality of my products.  The other tools that I use can involve the use of electricity so the need for insulated grips is important when looking at pliers.  However, among the most important thing to look at is the possibility of plated pliers as well.  Basically, they have a softer metal plated on their heads that allows for less pressure on metals that mark easily.

Fine Fashion Jewelry Designs ~ Starlite Jewelry Designs ~ Handmade Fine Artisan Jewelry Designs ~ Stylish Trendy Accessories (Photo credit: Naomi King)

For most people however, they find themselves looking at the price tags of all tools and materials that they want to purchase.  The economy has been impacted around the world, and money seems to create a bigger impact on everything.  So when you look at what you would like to add to your jewelry making kit, you want to not only consider the price tag but what your product will look like at the end.  The materials that can be used to create something unique are only as good as the tools that you use to make them.

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