Tools & Supplies

Where do gemstones come from? Discover the origins of your favorite gemstones from around the world (or beyond).

Love the look of crystal, but unsure which brand to shop? Discover the highlights of each of the top three crystal manufacturers.

The Federal Trade Commission Guides for the Jewelry Industry as revised April 10, 2001 are designed to prevent unfair or deceptive trade practices.

Discover the story of the Boss' Bead Bag, a unique mix of beads born from a serendipitous accident. Get your hands on a bundle of beading goodness in one grab bag!

Optical properties refer to the way gemstones interact with light. Color, interference and inclusions are all examples of optical properties. The first optical property is also the most obvious--color.

Learn how the Bead Storage Solutions™ system from Elizabeth Ward can keep your beads and jewelry supplies organized with this informative guide.

Good light is so important when beading. Here are some ideas about lighting and other ways to improve the beading workspace.

Delve into our extensive jump ring resource. Here you'll find a wealth of information about one of the most versatile jewelry-making resources, from sizes and materials to chainmaille weaves.

No need to be a blacksmith to join metal to metal—you can use cold connections! Here are 6 ways to connect metals (or other materials) without using fire or electricity.

Glass beads have been a favorite jewelry-making supply for thousands of years. Learn about the ancient techniques used to craft various types of beads.

View this helpful guide to the top 7 ways to finish jewelry chain from our in-house jewelry-making experts.

Read on to discover the differences between natural hematite and man-made Hemalyke™ beads and components.

Follow along as Patti shares her list top tools and materials every jewelry maker needs for various techniques.

Curious about silversmithing essentials? This article outlines key tools and their uses, giving you the knowledge to start your journey with confidence.

Toothpaste to clean jewelry? Indestructible diamonds? Join Leslie as she debunks these and ten other popular jewelry myths.

Patti demonstrates the Clover Quick Cut thread cutter and highlights its advantages.

Here's a helpful guide to the different styles of earring backs to ensure earrings stay in place.

We asked seven professional jewelry artists what tools are tops on their wish lists. Let this article help you grant wishes for the creatives in your life.

The modern locket takes a time-honored and traditional piece of jewelry and offers up fresh versions for the modern world. See what the locket's gotten up to these days.

Jewelry-making expert Tammy Honaman shows how to finish and polish metal jewelry.

Explore the many types of jewelry-making tools to help you find the right one for every project.

Take a deep dive into the marvelous cabochon and its sister the cameo. Learn about how they're created and dozens of ways a designer can use them.

Bezels are an ideal finding to use when you're working with cabochons and flat back crystals. Tammy Honaman, author and jewelry-making expert, is here to tell you all about them.

When jewelry makers encounter information about gemstones, they frequently discover where a stone is mined, what it's made of and the phrase "metaphysical properties." What is that information and how can a jewelry maker use it in designs?

Feeling all tangled up in a sea of rough, frayed thread? Thread conditioners could be just the solution you need to get back on course.

Explore the world of loomwork, where every bead is a pixel in your artistic vision. Learn about the types of looms, materials and other resources you'll need to embark on this creative journey in this article.

Choosing the right metal to use in your jewelry involves balancing a number of factors beyond gold vs. silver. Get the lowdown on all materials metal.

This detailed article explains the best adhesives for a variety of projects. Learn tips and techniques suited to your design needs.

Looking for wireworking pliers that won't mar wire or metal sheet? Jewelry-making expert Tammy Honaman shares pliers that won’t make marks on wire in this informative article.

Different earring styles suit different needs, and the findings make all the difference! This handy guide explains the unique benefits of each type of earring finding.

Jewelry-making expert Sandra Lupo gives us the scoop on Beadalon® tools, including their banding pliers and improved Coiling Gizmo®. Learn all about these popular tools and tips for using them in this illustrated article.

See the results of an independent lab study on Comparison Testing of three types of coated beading wires.

Celestial Crystal® is our line of crystal beads and components. Explore a few of our favorites and discover how to bring their dazzling versatility to your jewelry designs.

Looking to brush up on your understanding of geology? Dive into this informative article that explores the distinctions among rocks, minerals, crystals and gemstones.

Pearls are a classic that is always in style. This article gives you some pearls of wisdom concerning the different types of pearls, how to care for them and more.

Find everything you need know about jeweler's saws in this video and informative article. Learn the tips and tricks to using a jeweler's saw to get the design you want.

Ergonomics is the actions and equipment designed to prevent injury to the human body. This article explains why beaders and jewelry makers need to consider how repetitive motion, vibration and awkward posture can affect their health, productive ability and enjoyment of their craft.

Read what Paula S. Morgan of about.com has to say about Fire Mountain's Accu-Flex Professional-Quality Beading Wire in her expert review.

How many times have you been working on a beading project, only to have your fingers and hands seize from cramping and fatigue, which force you to take a break?

Keeping your jewelry well cared for and beautiful for years to come is just as important as designing it. All the info you'll need about the different maintenance supplies available to care for your treasures in is this article.

Explore the fascinating history of dichroic glass and learn ways to incorporate this iridescent wonder into your jewelry designs.

Jewelry-making expert Tammy Honaman explores work hardening metal in this informative article. Learn how to make gold, sterling silver, sterling silver-filled, copper, brass, bronze and nickel metal rigid or malleable to suit your design needs.

Learn what turquoise is, types of turquoise gems, typical gemological enhancements and buying tips for this popular blue-green gemstone.

Do you remember the saying: build a better mousetrap and the world will beat a path to your door? With Wubbers, Patti Bullard has invented a better set of pliers that jewelry makers are beating a path to.

What type of cutters are for which types of jewelry-making techniques? Nip over to this article to learn more about these essential tools of the trade.

Discover interesting beading facts and new insights into the jewelry making industry with articles from Fire Mountain Gems and Beads. Article: All About Rhinestones

Bead reamers are an important tool. Use this helpful guide to choose the correct reamer for all your jewelry-making needs.

What do the ancient Egyptians, Native Americans, 1970's celebrities and people today all have in common? A love of turquoise! This article highlights this gemstone's popularity throughout history.

One of the most important things in jewelry-making is having the right tools. Check out this handy guide to jewelry-making hand tools to learn the right tool for every job, ensuring a professional-looking finish every time.

What does your choice of metal say about you? This article explores the meaning of different metals in jewelry designs to help you learn what your jewelry is saying.

Ever wonder what a bail is? How do you use it and what should you look for to find what you need for your designs? All of that has been compiled in one handy location.

In this article and video lean everything about pearls ... or at least a good start, such as how they are formed and harvested, pearl quality and how to tell genuine from imitation pearls.

Have questions about mandrels? Learn all about this valuable metalsmithing tool and the different options available in this article on mandrels.

Travel to the Crystal Valley and explore the rich heritage of Czech glass beads.

What is marcasite? And why is its price tag higher than other gemstones? To answer this important question, a little gemology and fashion history is in order.

The benefits of torch-firing enamel can be incredible for your designs as you don't need to rely on a bulky kiln. The end result is beautiful enameled beads and metal just for you.

Learn about the different types of jewelry-making wire and how to use them.

Using cold connections can really change how your jewelry comes together. Find out what metalsmithing master Tammy Honaman says are some of the best tools for cold connecting metal.

Have you never worked with leather before? It can be tough (heh) sometimes but don’t worry, Tammy Honaman is here to guide you like only a jewelry-making expert can.

Opal is an uncommon gemstone with an equally uncommon beauty and a sadly common fragility--leading it to be recreated in the laboratory as a stronger composite that withstands the stresses the natural opal cannot.

Make your designing life easier with bead boards. Learn the bead board types and how these tools are advantageous to the beginner as well as the high-producing professional.

Delve into the rich history and cultural significance of jade, highlighting its revered status in Chinese culture, its exceptional toughness, and its various forms, including jadeite and nephrite, as well as its widespread use in jewelry and carvings, with an emphasis on the importance of color, translucency, and texture in determining jade quality.

Discover the complex nature of light and the human eye and the importance of daylight, not only in jewelry-making but all forms of art to find true color.

Find the answers to your questions about sterling silver-filled wire and findings in this performance results test conducted by jewelry-making experts. Discover why this metal offer a tremendous value and amazing workability.

An insightful exploration of the intricate art of creating lampwork glass pendants. Review the fascinating process involving fire and steel tools, the various types of glass used, and the historical evolution of lampworking, with a focus on the tools and materials essential for crafting these exquisite glass components.

Q: Sure hope you can help me. I'm making a necklace and my pendant is a lampwork bead, sort of rondelle shaped. I want to use a large jump ring, 17mm, but I am having trouble as it does not seem secure on the necklace. Is there something I can use or some technique to keep this ring securely closed? I really don't want to invest in or learn soldering. Thank you so much.

Q: I need tips, please, on how to organize a large inventory of beads and findings. Not the physical components—trays, bags, etc.—but the logical organization. Do the experts find it most useful to organize by color? By size? By material? By shape? Which are the main categories, and how are items sorted within the main categories? For example, beads might be organized first by main color (pink, yellow, black), then by big category of material (gemstone, glass), then specific material (calcite, mookaite, crystal, crackle glass, lampwork). Then within material by size or shape. What logical organization works best for you to help you find what you need quickly? Do different people organize different ways? How do you organize strands that have mixed colors or materials?

Q: I was given a battery operated bead reamer as a gift, but am hesitant to try it. I was watching your bead reamer video and didn't even see a powered version mentioned as an option. It seems to me the hand versions offer more control. Do you have any recommendations?

Q: I have collected lots of abalone shells. What is the best way to drill holes in the shells, shine, polish, etc., to make jewelry?

Q: I've seen Chainmaille sites online and thought, "Wow, that looks cool! I want to make it!" How can I cut the wire to make jump rings, without it flattening the end of the cut part? I know I can buy machine made jumprings that are perfectly shaped and cut, but I want to make my own, so I can fabricate the entire piece. I've been using regular wire cutters, and am looking for a cutter that won't flatten the jumpring ends. Thanks

Sculpt clay with precision and ease. These step-by-step instructions will show you how to effortlessly utilize Makin's Professional® Clay Core and Ultimate Clay Extruder®.

Q: Please tell me the difference between "lap joint" and "box joint" pliers?

The Hot-Fix Heater™ rhinestone applicator simplifies and streamlines the process of applying rhinestuds. Let these clear and concise instructions be your guide, enhancing the glamour of your creative projects.

For professional-quality results, embed pin backings directly into your Metal Clay designs. These easy-to- follow instructions will teach you how to install pin findings and adjust pin lengths with precision.

Incorporating large-hole beads onto delicate jewelry wire is a breeze. These instructions will demonstrate how, with the help of TierraCast™ BeadAligners™, you can enhance both the stability and the beauty of your designs.

Ensure your success and prioritize safety when firing enamel with a torch by following these comprehensive instructions. Craft stunning enamel jewelry with confidence and precision.

Craft enchanting enamel designs using the simple wet-paper-stencil technique. Your designs will sparkle with personality when you follow these instructions.

Smooth out the rough edges in your enamel designs with an alundum stone. Discover how with these straightforward instructions.

Elevate your enamel designs using the timeless sgraffito technique. With these straightforward instructions, your creativity will truly shine.

Keep your tools in pristine condition, ensuring they serve you well for years to come. Discover the proper technique for maintaining your soldering iron with a sal ammoniac block.

Follow these instructions for the Artistic Wire® CONETASTIC™ tool to create custom coiled wire cones. Developed by metalsmith Sandra Lupo, this tool set includes three sizes of cones mandrels.

Use the Artistic Wire® Professional Deluxe Coiling Gizmo® to create tight wire coils and form them into coiled shapes. This photo-illustrated tutorial shows each step.

Easily knit wire ropes for jewelry making with Artistic Wire® Wire Knitter. Follow these photo-illustrated step-by-step instructions to create your own knitted wire.

Experience the delicate allure of knitted wire, as light as a feather yet intricately captivating. Learn how to use the Artistic Wire® Wire Knitter with these simple instructions and enmesh yourself in a whole new world of jewelry design.

Tutorial shows how to punch holes in flat pieces of aluminum, brass, copper, plastic and more with this lightweight, one-handed tool. No electricity required!

Perfect your wire jewelry crafting with the easy-to-use Artistic Wire® Kumihimo Weights, an indispensable tool for creating flawless pieces. Discover how these weights can enhance your jewelry-making skills and streamline your designs.

The Artistic Wire® Oval Ear Wire Jig enables you to fashion smooth curves and consistent shapes for flawless results. Master the art of wire shaping and watch your earring designs take flight.

Craft consistently flawless ear wires with the Artistic Wire® Round Ear Wire Jig, guided by these straightforward instructions for precision and ease. Perfect your jewelry creations with every graceful curve, ensuring a professional touch to your designs.

The Artistic Wire® Open Ear Wire Jig will help you create delicately perfect earrings. With these easy-to- follow instructions, you will begin crafting flawless earwires in no time.

Craft your custom hook-and-eye clasps effortlessly using the Artistic Wire® Hook and Eye Clasp Jig. Take control of wire with ease by following this step-by-step tutorial.

Add depth and complexity to your jewelry designs with custom connectors. The step-by-step instructions for using the Artistic Wire® Connector 1:5 Jig will walk you through the process of shaping wire into two distinct patterns.

Create perfectly balanced and symmetrical jewelry connectors with the Artistic Wire® Connector Diamond Jig. Follow these step-by-step instructions and let your creativity get wired.

Infuse your jewelry designs with graceful curves and an airy touch by fashioning custom connectors using the Artistic Wire® Round Connector Jig. These clear and concise instructions will make the creation process a breeze!

Sculpt your designs into delicate teardrops with the Artistic Wire® Teardrop Connector Jig. Let these user-friendly instructions guide you in effortlessly crafting your own custom jewelry connectors.

Q: What do I use to drill a hole in a cabochon? I can't find anything to go through.

Q: Is there a way to disinfect jewelry when we are selling at our community market that won't damage stones or wire? Customers like to try on pieces to see how they fit, but if they don't buy them, the necklaces/rings/bracelets need to be disinfected before someone else tries them on? How??