Metalsmithing Resources

Metalsmithing and precious metal clay resources for the designer-artist.

If you've ever wanted to learn more about metalsmithing for jewelry makers, we've put together resources to help you out. We've got precious metal clay and metalsmithing tutorials, instructions, and hundreds of jewelry design inspiration.

Metalsmithing Resources How-To Videos View More

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Sawing Metal

Don't be intimidated by sawing metal--it's easy with the jeweler's saw. This video tutorial with Tammy shows you how.
the expert Video Length 03:45
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Making Ball-Tip Headpins with a Butane Torch

Sandy Lupo shows how to create a ball-tip headpin from sterling silver wire using a butane torch in this video tutorial.
the expert Video Length 05:01
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Product Spotlight: Tube Cutter Vise

Join Rose in the Fire Mountain Gems and Beads Jewelry-Making Studio as she shows off the Tube Cutter Vise/Jig. This handy tool is great for cutting exact lengths of small gauge wire or tubing. Use this professional quality jig to create precise cuts...
the expert Video Length 01:50

Metalsmithing Resources Design Inspirations View More

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Ring with PMC3™ (Precious Metal Clay) and Cubic Zirconia Gems

Designer: Tammy Honaman, Author, Jewelry-Making Expert and Educator, Exclusively for Fire Mountain Gems and Beads® Pod Leaf Ring
Design Idea E14U View Details
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Bib-Style Necklace with Copper Sheet and Swarovski Crystal

Designer: Megan Baig Copper Henna
Design Idea F32S View Details
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Single-Strand Necklace with Wirework, Alumilite Cabochon and Ruby Gemstone Beads and Component

Designer: Daryl Adams "Freya" Grand Prize Silver Medal Winner
Design Idea H20X View Details

Metalsmithing Resources Articles View More

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Punch, Roll-Print, Solder Layered Silver-Disk Bracelet

On the last day of my first-ever metalsmithing class, the instructor gave us this challenge: Use the beginner-level skills we'd learned to design and make a piece of jewelry. We'd be surprised, she said, by how far we could go using only very basic...
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Sawing Essentials

The saw frame is typically the first purchase made by the aspiring jewelry maker. It is the most important tool to acquire and master because sawing and piercing are basic operations for all metalwork. It is important to practice sawing without a...
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All About Metal Sheet

From cold connections to metalsmithing, jewelry makers have been using metal sheet for millennia. \n Different metal types have different strengths, challenges and purposes. Let this article and the convenient chart below help you determine which...
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Ask the Expert about Metalsmithing Resources View More

I'm new to the jewelry scene and was wondering about the tumblers that are available. Does a tumbler work for all metals, including precious metal? What is the difference between a jewelry tumbler and a rock tumbler?

The Lortone Model 3A is a rotary rock and jewelry tumbler with a rubber barrel that uses different media to grind, work-harden and/or polish metal...
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Can I fire glass and metal at the same time? I would like to combine the 2 in 1 piece.

Yes, you can co-fire metal clay and glass in a kiln. When working with the two materials, metal clay and glass, the lower firing temperature clays...
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I want to create a thin metal setting to go around a variety of different stones and crystals ... to make them shape specific in a gold plate or copper color. Do I need to use bronze/copper clay for that or buy a thin sheet of metal and cut it to...

Metal clay is very versatile; its easy to shape around components such as stones and crystals. Some metal clay works with fine silver or sterling...
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