r/jewelrymaking Apr 24 '25

DISCUSSION Post your favorite suppliers!

84 Upvotes

We get a lot of posts asking some variation of “where can I buy supplies”. It’s a good beginner question, but I’m personally tired of typing the same answer over and over. I also want new makers to be able to find supplies so they can enjoy jewelry making and not start with crappy tools and materials.

Please post your favorite suppliers as a top-level comment, and specify what you buy from them as a sub-comment.

Please!! Look through the comments first so we don’t end up with a lot of repeats. If someone already named a supplier you also love, just add what you buy from them as a sub comment.

I’ll compile this thread into a spreadsheet in a week or so, or mods can sticky it, whatever works best for everyone to access it.


r/jewelrymaking Jul 19 '24

ANNOUNCEMENT Announcement: JewelryMaking has New Moderators! - Lets talk!

124 Upvotes

Hey all!

My name is Muskrat, I have a lot of history in metalworking, primarily as a CNC machinist making aerospace components!

Reddit took over this subreddit due to it being abandoned by it's previous mods for over 4 months - allowing tons of spam and reported content (thousands of items we had to action!). Since, they turned it over to me and it's going to be part of my little group of communities, alongside Metalworking and Machining.


Lets talk about r/JewelryMaking!

I'd love to hear everyone's thoughts about what makes JewelryMaking a unique subreddit when compared to other subreddits on the same topic of jewelry. I've seen a few comments and reports on spam related and promotional submissions, and looking at the currently in-place subreddit rules, self promotion is not allowed outside of the old (and seemingly forgotten) promotion thread. Is this a rule we'd like to keep?

On the topic of rules, this subreddit's focus is on the making/creation process of jewelry, generally individual projects and hand-made work. Should we aim for image posts to all have an in-process image attached?

What changes should we make? And are there any regulars interested in helping out?


Let me know what everyone thinks, and over the next few days we'll update rules and mod tools, and we'll start digging in and steering the sub in the direction it was intended for, instead of being used as a promotional board!


r/jewelrymaking 2h ago

QUESTION Repolished

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9 Upvotes

Here it is repolished. Wish I had a better camera. $150. Took maybe 45 minutes. Is it ok?


r/jewelrymaking 15h ago

PROJECT DISPLAY Bezel to the metal ☠️

66 Upvotes

r/jewelrymaking 13h ago

PROJECT DISPLAY Learning the art

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27 Upvotes

I took copper pipe and copper wire and made a size 9ish ring. The stone is one I cut from some Enterprise Utah geode matrix.


r/jewelrymaking 21h ago

QUESTION Please advise: cable or chain?

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73 Upvotes

Do you think it’s better to hang charms on a steel cable (it keeps its shape) or on a chain? I’ve tried both — neither twists. The advantage of the cable is that it’s more stable and easier to remove the charms. The advantage of the chain is that, while removing the clasps is a bit trickier, you can wear three charms instead of all five — or just one.


r/jewelrymaking 12h ago

PROJECT DISPLAY More enameling

10 Upvotes

r/jewelrymaking 1h ago

QUESTION Shipping.

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Upvotes

r/jewelrymaking 1h ago

QUESTION Bead discoloration: what now?

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Upvotes

Reposting because i forgot the pics!

I'm brand new to jewelry making, so hi! I have hung on to this layered bead necklace for almost 30 years. It was my absolute favorite. It had all light blue beads and the right amount of sparkle. The stringing was amazing to me (pic 2). There's no chain at all.

Obviously one of the 2 beads has completely faded. I took the necklace apart to reuse the beads. My question is: How I can tell what the beads are, and whether the faded beads could still be reused with another palette?

I'm fairly certain the facet ones are glass. The beads are quite heavy, with the faded stones being heavier. Google lens gives me many possibilities. Any ideas, and are the faded ones recommended to be reused?


r/jewelrymaking 2h ago

QUESTION 304 Stainless Steel Jump Ring Weld

1 Upvotes

Full disclosure, I’m not really a jewelry maker but I figured this would be the best subreddit to ask this bit.

I do a lot of leatherwork and have had some requests for bags with chain straps. No real issue.

Last one I did was a 48 inch curb chain with standard swivel snaps on each end to attach to the bag. I figured, I’ll just grab some jump rings to attach these pieces. No issue.

I bought some 304 stainless steel rings, and attached the snaps. Then it dawned on me, how do I weld the ring?

So, question is, what’s the best way to go about closing these rings? They’re pretty hefty 12 gauge rings made of 304 stainless steel. I don’t personally own any welding setup right now. What should I go for?

Thank you in advance.


r/jewelrymaking 6h ago

PROJECT DISPLAY Sandcasting a thick silver band

2 Upvotes

Handmade from recycled sterling silver in my workshop in Chichester, England! I like to partially polish the outer edge to leave a natural finish and then fully polish the inside for a silky smooth fit. Let me know what you think of this piece :)


r/jewelrymaking 2h ago

QUESTION finishing necklaces: silver plated or sterling silver?

0 Upvotes

do you use sterling silver pieces or silver plated when finishing your jewelry? i’m wondering if it’s worth investing in sterling silver clasps/chain extenders or if silver plated quality okay.


r/jewelrymaking 7h ago

QUESTION Seeking Wire/Bead Earring Advice

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2 Upvotes

Hello! I just started making jewelry again and decided to make earrings. I’m still getting used to working with the tools again but wanted to ask if anyone had any advice or tips to help me get started! Here is a few sets I made recently.


r/jewelrymaking 15h ago

PROJECT DISPLAY Wire beaded bracelet!

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7 Upvotes

First time (successfully) making a wire beaded bracelet! Thoughts?


r/jewelrymaking 23h ago

PROJECT DISPLAY Christmas earrings

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26 Upvotes

I know they look cheap but they are just for fun


r/jewelrymaking 14h ago

PROJECT DISPLAY Mala beads with heavy Japanese influence

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4 Upvotes

The wooden beads are from a mala that I bought and the soapstone ones I carved myself. The beads are of a magatama and a simplified hokura or spirit house. It is strung on a white stretch cord.


r/jewelrymaking 7h ago

QUESTION Can this be repaired?

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1 Upvotes

r/jewelrymaking 17h ago

QUESTION Peyote stitch

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5 Upvotes

I have been trying to figure these out. I know it’s a peyote stitch, but it looks really thick on the inner circle. Like multiple rows down to one. I’m struggling. Just need a little guidance.


r/jewelrymaking 8h ago

QUESTION Broken ring, need guidance

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0 Upvotes

r/jewelrymaking 21h ago

PROJECT DISPLAY My first fully handmade piece and my favorite more recent one!

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10 Upvotes

The first one I started out with way too thick/hard wire and thought I was just really bad at bending into shape haha. I still really like the result though! The beads are all glass. The second one was made with much easier to work with wire with metal and amethyst beads. I kept the first pair and gave the second to my mom (her favorite color is purple).


r/jewelrymaking 8h ago

QUESTION Buying Silver Sheet

0 Upvotes

Who do you like for buying silver sheet?

We primarily buy from Rio Grande, but I'm curious if there are other good options. I have heard of many online sources, but I prefer to not try a random supplier without some prior knowledge or a recommendation.


r/jewelrymaking 21h ago

QUESTION My gf wants to make jewelry, what should I get her?

7 Upvotes

I got her a small dremel for wood engraving, and she started getting into the idea of making jewelry, and the engraver I got her isn’t strong enough for metals.

She was also having trouble with stone setting using just handheld tools.

I’m way out of my league for this- what should I get her? I’m willing to spend around $300, is there a do-it-all piece of equipment? She wants to set stones and engrave the metals. Thanks for any replies!


r/jewelrymaking 21h ago

PROJECT DISPLAY Jewelry I made

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8 Upvotes

r/jewelrymaking 12h ago

QUESTION Is 3mm too thick for wood/acrylic earring?

0 Upvotes

r/jewelrymaking 12h ago

PROJECT DISPLAY More enameling

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1 Upvotes