Jewelers Tools

Forming metal is a process the level of skill involved is often overlooked. It is process that maneuvers metal into the desired design or shape. It is combination of technique to change an object shape. Under the heading of forming are processes such as chasing, repousse, bending,sinking, using stamps/dies, hammering, and forging. These processes will affect the thickness, pieces shape and often the metal texture.

It is skill which jewelery making should equip for forming metal with different processes and the range of jewellery tools used  is as wide.

The simple mallet allows the craftsman to apply direct force without damaging  or stretching the metal. The head of the mallet is softer than the metal so as not to mark the surface.

Triblets or Mandrels are used for forming shapes, and are most associated with bangles or rings. Mandrels are available in a variety shapes and size, and in wood and both steel.

 Jobbing hammers are ideal for general use and metal forming. The planishing hammer is used for shaping, polishing and smoothing metal. Riveting hammers are designed with a small head for detailed rivet work. The different stages of forming are used in bossing , raising, and chasing hammers.


Steel blocks provide the ideal flat surface for working, flattening sheet or wire or to support work as it is raised or forged, riveted or textured.

Doming blocks & punches are the ideal way of shaping metal and making domed, shaped pieces or hollow beads. Pieces of circular metal/discs are place over the hollows of a doming block, and then using punches and a hammer the metal is formed into a shape.

Rather like doming blocks, Swage blocks help form metal into tubes, curves and channels. Different blocks will allow different shapes and sizes to be formed.

These bags provided support whilst you work and form your piece. They help keep your work firm and in place whilst working.

Files are essential for removing excess material, and fine tuning and shaping your piece. The different sizes available allow the jeweller to work large areas or at a more intricate level. To start with buy a selection of shapes containing round, square, triangular, half round and warding. Plus consider the cut ranging from 0 the coarsest, to 6 the finest.

Pliers have a multitude of uses but they are the most basic tool for holding/gripping, forming and shaping wire. Having a basic selection of needle nose, round nose, flat nose, half round and a pair of parallel action pliers, will give the jeweller the flexibility to complete most jobs.


Draw plates are most commonly used to reduce the size or change shape of wire. Each plate has a series of holes through which the wire is passed through, this then changes the size of the wire. The holes in the plate are of decreasing size allowing you to continue draw down the wire to the required size.

Often used by silversmiths, the metal is placed over the stakes (usually clamped independently into a vice) and hammered to achieve the shape required. Various shapes can be achieved by using different stakes.

These larger machines often seen in jewellers' workshops are ideal to reduce the thickness of sheet, or help decorate sheet. If used with Square and D shape sections rolling mills can be used to form or shape wire.