Essential Tools of the Trade: Building Your Permanent Jewellery Kit
Published date: 12 June 2024
Understanding Permanent Jewellery
Permanent jewellery has garnered popularity not only as a fashion statement but also as a means of celebrating special occasions with friends and family. Whether it's a hen do or a gesture to strengthen bonds among friends, the allure of permanently affixed bracelets and anklets has captivated many. This trend is not just about aesthetics; it's about embracing a hassle-free way of adorning oneself without the inconvenience of clasps. By offering your customer a selection of chain designs and charm styles the customer can choose their design and see it being created and fixed to their wrist or ankle during their appointment.
Essential Techniques
While the concept of permanent jewellery may seem intricate, mastering the necessary techniques is relatively straightforward. Proficiency with pliers and snips lays the groundwork, with the primary focus being on mastering the use of a laser solderer. Fortunately, numerous tutorials, are readily available on platforms like YouTube, offer guidance on honing this skill.
Selecting Materials for your Permanent Jewellery Kit.
The selection of materials for your permanent jewellery supplies is primarily dictated by soldering compatibility. Options are predominantly limited to sterling silver and gold, with the latter being a cost-prohibitive choice for many. However, 14k gold-filled presents a more budget-friendly alternative, comprising a solid gold layer bonded to a base metal. It's essential to note that while gold-filled chains are available, limitations arise concerning charm selection, as the process of creating gold filled as a material limits its application as it is formed as a sheet and cannot be cast into different shapes as most charms in other metals can be. Plated metals are ruled out as the soldering process will scorch the surface of the metal and the abrasion required for cleaning this will remove the plated layer. However gold plated sterling silver charms can be used as long as not directly soldered or a compatible jump ring is used and the colours match, this is also possible when mixing metal colours.
What is required for soldering jewellery?
The development of laser soldering machines has revolutionised the soldering of jewellery, previously soldering required naked flames, flux and solder and the full knowledge and tools of a goldsmith and could not be done next to skin. However the advancement of laser machines and their portability as they reduce in size is key to the advancement of this trend. You will need the following core components and machinery.
The favoured machine of the moment is the Orion MPulse 30, which is available below. This uses a Lazer pulse to fuse together two pieces of metal and create welded jewellery. Orion MPulse 30
The Orion MPulse machine requires argon gas, which can be sourced from your local gas supplies, the gas helps reduce scorching at the point of weld. Argon Gas on Google
Leather Patch
You will also require a piece of leather to protect the skin
Fibre Glass Pen
To clean up the weld from any burn marks.
You will need snips or cutters and a couple of flat nose pliers, we would recommend the xuron range for precision, our favourite for this would be the short nose plier for opening and closing of jump rings and chain links Shop Maxi Shear Flush Cutters
For cutting chain. Shop Flush Cutters
A lighter cutter may also work for very light weight chains Shop Xuron-BS Flex Wire Cutter
Which jewellery making supplies would I need in a permanent jewellery kit?
The rest of your supplies will make up materials for creating your customers designs.
Jump rings offer an additional way to secure your chains if the links on the chains prove difficult to resolder. Larger chain designs maybe protected with anti-tarnish in which case you will need to use a jump ring to solder these links together. Very small links may also require the addition of a jump ring as the links maybe too delicate to resolder. Shop Jump Rings
These are a great way for customers to personalise their jewellery, from birthstones, initials and connectors to offer a central feature front to a bracelet Shop Charms & Connectors
The main material you will need is loose chain in sterling silver, gold filled or carat gold such as 9ct Gold, sterling silver is hypoallergenic and lead and nickel free. We offer standard Sterling Silver or ECO sterling silver, our ECO range consists of 95% recycled silver and 5% ethically mined silver so will allow you to offer an ethical line to your customers, it is Italian made and offers a high quality sterling silver chain of many designs. Shop Silver Chain
For those looking for gold chain, the best choice is Gold Filled chain, This is a heavy bonded layer of 14k gold over a base metal, as the core is never seen the replacement of solid gold from the center of the wire allows a gold chain at a much more reasonable price, this can be soldered too, unlike plated metals which will loose the plating with welding. We stock a range of gold filled chains, in a variety of shapes and enamel colours too. Shop Gold Chain
Running a Permanent jewellery business
This style of jewellery can add a great extra income boost to an existing business or create a great second income boost.
Once equipped with a soldering machine and tools, this can be set up in an existing retail location such as a nail or beauty salon or a run as a mobile business at craft fairs or booked as an event for an occasion such as a birthday party or hen do.
With a small array of materials to transport you can be set up quickly, it is worth considering your display if you plan to exhibit at markets with the available chains and charms on show, or it may be worth creating a few design ideas to give your customers some inspiration to build their designs from, this will help improve their experience and may speed up the appointment process.
Building your permanent jewellery kit requires a thoughtful selection of essential tools and materials, from the precision of pliers and snips to the advanced technology of a laser solderer. Mastering the techniques of welded jewellery allows for the creation of unique, personalised pieces that will bring customers delight.
Whether you’re a seasoned jeweller looking to expand your offerings or a newcomer eager to dive into this upcoming market, assembling the right supplies—from sterling silver and gold-filled chains to a variety of charms and connectors—ensures that you can provide your customers with high-quality, customised jewellery and an experience they'll remember.