🔧 The Underrated Tools Every Jeweller Should Own

All jewellers have their essential tools when it comes to jewellery making, the pliers, the saw, the files, maybe a torch. However, every jeweller has a whole array of underrated tools that are often forgotten but make your time at the bench easier, cleaner and just more enjoyable. Whether you are just starting out, or you've been making jewellery a long time, you can justify having these on your bench.

1.Dead Blow Mallet

🛠 What it does:

Shapes/forms metal without leaving an impression on it.

If you are still using your hammer from the junk drawer at home to do your bending and forming, it is time to make the transition. Your dead blow mallet will allow you to move metal without chiselling or damaging it. This is especially helpful when shaping a ring or flattening wire when you don't want to make a mess.

Why its underrated:

You don't know how much you need until you've spent an hour getting out the marks left by the tools on a piece that took you longer than that to make.

2. Ring Clamp

🛠 What it does:

Holds your work so that your hands are free and your work is protected from filing, sawing or polishing.

A good ring clampwill allow you to have both hands free and protect your work. It is perfect for things of a delicate nature that you cannot pinch with your fingers or hold with a set of pliers.

Why its underrated:

It feels so basic, a wooden tool...but will save your hands and give you more control when working on smaller details.

3. Third Hand Tool

🛠 What it does:

Holds metal while you solder so you don’t have to.

Whether you’re soldering jump rings, or you’re aligning a bezel, a third hand allows you to focus on torch control instead of trying to juggle tweezers and heat.

Why it’s underrated:

It’s a low-cost tool that will save you from frustration… especially when accuracy matters.

4. Scribe or Automatic Centre Punch

🛠 What it does:

Marks exact locations for drilling or sawing.

These pointed tools are great for scoring a line or marking a dot so your drill or saw does not wander. Clean layouts = clean work.

Why it’s underrated:

It’s the littlest tool with the biggest headache saver when it comes to accuracy!

5. Beeswax or Lubricant Stick

🛠 What it does:

Lubricates your saw blades, burrs, and drills.

Beeswax helps your blades glide smoother and lasts longer. It is especially handy when sawing delicate curves and drilling tiny holes.

Why it’s underrated:

It’s cheap, takes up no space, saves time and tool wear.

6. Brass Brush

🛠 What it does:

Cleans metal without scratching it!

Perfect for removing oxidation — especially after pickling. It will leave a soft matte finish and is safe to use on copper, brass, silver and gold.

Why it’s underrated:

It’s often eclipsed by polishing wheels, but makes the most beautiful clean look for a professional appearance — especially on handmade items.

7. Calipers

🛠 What it does:

Measures thickness, wire gauge, inside and outside diameter, etc. with accuracy.

Calipers are essential for stone setting, wire cutting, or any time you need to fit something together. You can purchase digital or manual calipers depending on your preference.

Why it’s underrated:

Making guess estimates will cause mistakes and wasted materials. This little tool almost makes “close enough” disappear.

8. Steel Ruler with Metric Markings

🛠 What it does:

Accurate layout for cutting, sawing, measuring lengths, etc.

Forget your old school ruler — a proper steel ruler stands up to the rigors of your workshop and is consistent for accuracy.

Why it’s underrated:

Essential for layout, and often more reliable than eyeballing wire lengths.

🛍️ Small Tools, Big Effects

These aren’t the fancy tools you see in every Instagram reel — they are the workman like tools that quietly help support and encourage your creative process from behind the curtain. Just adding one or two of these into your set up can streamline your work, keep it neat and tidy, and allow you to forget the frustration!

Need to stock up your tool kit?

Check out our Underrated Tools Collection and see what small tools might make a big difference at your bench.