Straight Burnisher

After you've pushed a bezel over a stone, the next step is burnishing. You press the metal down firmly and evenly so it sits smooth and tight, then run the tip along the top edge to work out any ripples and bring up a bright finish on the metal. A straight burnisher is the tool for this final stage of bezel setting.

The tip is highly polished steel, which matters more than it might seem. A polished tip glides cleanly along the bezel wall without dragging or scratching the metal, and because it's smooth and hard, it compresses and shines the silver or gold as you work rather than leaving a matte or scored surface. The wooden handle gives you a comfortable, controlled grip for the firm, steady pressure burnishing requires.

We use a straight and a curved burnishing tool together in the studio. The straight version is the one you reach for along flat stretches of bezel wall, while the curved burnisher handles rounded sections and corners. They're both worth having if you're doing any bezel setting work.

This straight burnisher is also available as part of the Jewellers Stone Setting Tool Kit.

Worth knowing:

• Pairs with the curved burnisher for complete bezel setting work
• Highly polished steel tip compresses and shines the metal as you work
• Wooden handle for a comfortable, controlled grip