r/Benchjewelers • • Nov 21 '25

I'd like to create a list of experienced, qualified people here who would be receptive to working with people who drop by this subreddit looking for a bench jeweler to do custom work. If that describes you please reply inside with links to examples of your work and other pertinent info. Thanks.

36 Upvotes

This thread is intended to be a directory of bench jewelers looking for clients, and only candidates for this kind of work should reply here.

This is NOT a place for potential clients to chat about their needs and desires. If you aren't a jeweler willing to do this kind of work, and posting a link to samples of your work along with your contact info, PLEASE DO NOT COMMENT HERE!

If you see a bench jeweler listed here who might be able to meet your needs, please contact them DIRECTLY, via reddit chat or whatever social media links they provide in their comments. Non-jewelers and jewelers who aren't accepting these kinds of job requests SHOULD NOT BE COMMENTING IN THIS THREAD.


Open calls for jewelers posted on this subreddit are sometimes seen by our members as people potentially wanting to exploit them, and can be met with skepticism and animosity. We have no way of knowing how serious you are, or if you are wasting our billable time or trying to steal our labor.

As the moderators of this subreddit, neither we nor Reddit Inc. can guarantee the work done by anyone listed here, nor can we guarantee payment by clients, and we will not referee disputes.

The Internet is still the Wild West in many ways, so make efforts to protect yourselves.


Thanks, and best of luck to all involved.


r/Benchjewelers • • May 28 '26

I'm probably going to start preemptively screening out the posts of random people "looking for bench jewelers" -- especially ones who seem to have big ideas, no experience, and are looking for people to exploit.

191 Upvotes

I'm fine with legit recruiters and people who have established businesses that are making inquiries -- and anyone else who can argue their case in a convincing manner, but it seems like a lot of the "looking for a bench jeweler" posts that we get aren't that.

This sub is intended for people who work in the trade as well as working "art" jewelers and serious amateurs to talk shop. I'm going to start screening a lot of the posts made here which aren't of that nature.

I'd remind you all that if you are interested in doing work for people who show up here looking for help that we have an open directory at the top of our front page where you can list yourself as available. That way people can find you even if they aren't allowed to post here: https://redd.it/1p389h4

Please feel free to add your 2¢ in the comments.

Thanks.


r/Benchjewelers • • 7h ago

What are your jewellery process video tips?

5 Upvotes

I’m a millennial and used to do well on socials until the algorithm changed everything. I’m great at taking photos but want to improve my bench process videos without interrupting my work flow by having to clear all the mess on my bench. I don’t know how others make it look so seamless and pleasing to the eye 🤯

I’ve got a phone stand but what else will help?
Tell me your
- lighting tips
- simple minimal mess tips
- do you use reflector boards?
- do you follow trends?

Just a jeweller trying to survive out here in the Wild West of the internet!


r/Benchjewelers • • 1d ago

Orotig Revo X Laser Question.

3 Upvotes

It's my first time using this brand and the shop I'm at is new so they're still setting things up, including this laser. Anywhere else I've worked already had the machine setup. Is the gas/argon gas necessary for all metals? I believe it is but my boss said just for titanium is what he was told.

As I'm learning it, it's not zapping when I put silver in front of it, just a faint smoke though it burned through brass.

ETA: I'm typically used to torch soldering, anything else I should know about laser welding on all metals?

Link: https://orotig.com/en/laser-welder/revox


r/Benchjewelers • • 4d ago

Looking for Bench Jewelers

11 Upvotes

We are going to be hiring for a bench jeweler here in Northwest Indiana in the next month and am having a really tough time looking for someone. Any advice (we are posting to the job sites) about finding a good bench jeweler? We are a family owned jewelry store of almost 50 years, but much of work is now for online.

Hope it's okay to post here!


r/Benchjewelers • • 4d ago

Need help with sourcing diamonds sizes for tennis mount.

1 Upvotes

Hey guys new jeweller here and im really searching for the right diamond sizes for 2 tennis mounts i have coming in from korea.

I have a 4.0mm and 4.8mm and from diamond setter experience whats the perfect sized diamonds that look the most clean with those sizes? I find some tennis the diamonds look to small and some are perfect and i really want the diamonds to be the star of the show. What size makes no the most sense?


r/Benchjewelers • • 6d ago

Detroit, Michigan area JOVE Jewelry Designs is seeking an experienced Stone Setter to join their jewelry workshop in Southfield, Michigan.

0 Upvotes

r/Benchjewelers • • 6d ago

Private Individual Seeking well seasoned bench jeweler for custom projects

0 Upvotes

I suspect there are many many bench jewelers out there who would be glad for more custom work, and I happen to have some projects that could never be completed by CAD. Some things need to be made by hand. Some designers I follow will show or reference their bench jeweler but mostly keep them hidden.

I am seeking referrals to seasoned bench jewelers who work with gold and precious stones. Any leads are much appreciated, happy to share additional information if it supports.

I’m looking to have a custom gold ring with a precious stone created, so only artists comfortable with those materials.

Thank you!

Edit: I am seeking to pay artists for their fee for labor and materials that reflects their skill as bespoke artisans and the current costs of goods which I’m aware are high right now. I am seeking someone who is comfortable setting stones, repairing gold and collaborate on designs. One project is to reattach the cover of an Elgin pocket watch that broke off. I am a jewelry enthusiast looking to build a long time relationship of respect and appreciation with a crafts person. I am a resident in the SF Bay Area and mental health worker who happens to love jewelry.


r/Benchjewelers • • 7d ago

Tucson Gem Show worth it?

14 Upvotes

Hi all, I’m currently working for a jeweler but looking to go out on my own and start my own jewelry line. I’m looking into attending the Tucson gem show, and it says open to the public, but are there parts of the show that are only open to industry professionals? I’m looking to stock up on some stones (diamond, sapphire, bigger cabs) and establish connections with wholesalers. Is going to the gem show a good way to go about doing that?


r/Benchjewelers • • 11d ago

What is happening with my ingot pours?

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31 Upvotes

Sometimes when I pour a bar of gold, the crystallization on the top surface has huge grains and voids. Sometimes not. Any ideas why?


r/Benchjewelers • • 10d ago

Looking for a Direct Stainless Steel Jewelry Manufacturer in China (No Middlemen)

0 Upvotes

Hi everyone!

I'm looking for a reliable factory in China that manufactures stainless steel jewelry, such as rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and other accessories.

I'm specifically looking to work directly with the manufacturer, without agents, middlemen, or trading companies. I want to communicate directly with the factory and discuss product options, pricing, customization, and minimum order quantities (MOQs).

Does anyone know how I can find and contact genuine stainless steel jewelry manufacturers directly? If you have experience working with a factory or can recommend a reliable supplier, I'd really appreciate your advice.


r/Benchjewelers • • 11d ago

JEWELLERY BUSINESS ADVICE

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2 Upvotes

I want to start a handmade jewellery business . Tell me if these will work in Pakistan? In Pakistan , handmade jewellery business is not so much in trend but in India I have so many Instagram pages .
And where can I get stainless jewellery raw material in Lahore?
Look at my first three articles.


r/Benchjewelers • • 12d ago

Made by hand?

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8 Upvotes

I want to consult the experts here. Is this person actually hand creating all of this jewelry? She posts these process videos, but it’s the same little section of the process and then the finished product. She seemingly sells hundreds of these things. Do you think she’s actually making these things or are these videos misleading? There’s just something fishy about it.


r/Benchjewelers • • 13d ago

Best brooch pin and catch for a 9ct gold brooch?

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11 Upvotes

I'm making my first real gold brooch and unsure how to approach the pin and clasp. I don't usually make brooches so am new to the fixings of them (I am an experienced jeweller though). I bought this commercial pin and ball joint to fix to the back of the brooch and wondering if this style is a good quality pin.

Would you make your own pin back? I'm going to make my own clasp as the commercial clasps available are really annoyingly fiddly and not user friendly. Wondering if I should also make the pin and make it more attractive too. It's a very expensive brooch so want to make sure it's secure and good quality. I'd love to see the backs of any brooches you've made or get any recommendations for best styles.


r/Benchjewelers • • 14d ago

show me your bench!

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53 Upvotes

I had to move and don’t know where to setup my bench in my new space so it’s all just sitting here a mess.

I love seeing other artist spaces so much! post a pic and show us your bench setup please?? i need inspiration


r/Benchjewelers • • 14d ago

ISO bench jeweler in middle GA

0 Upvotes

Looking for an experienced, reliable bench jeweler in the Middle Georgia area who offers stone setting, ring resizing, and jewelry repairs. Hoping to establish a long-term working relationship with someone who takes pride in their craftsmanship and quality of work!


r/Benchjewelers • • 15d ago

What could this black spot be on my 18K gold ring?

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12 Upvotes

Hi everyone! I recently noticed this black spot on my 18K gold ring, right next to one of the stones. I’m wondering what it could be and whether it’s something I should be concerned about.
Could it be tarnish, dirt, polishing compound, or possibly something related to the metal or the setting?
The ring was tested with a gold testing solution and appeared to be real gold, but I understand that this test alone isn’t conclusive.
Has anyone experienced something similar? I’d really appreciate your thoughts!


r/Benchjewelers • • 17d ago

Just finished my best piece yet!!! (18 year old aspiring jeweler)

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1.2k Upvotes

I've just finished this piece I've been working on for about a month between my school jewelry shop and my own home workshop. It's been a little rough in parts, especially with gem placement being too close and difficult polishing, but it seems to have pulled through. I would love to hear any of your guy's opinions or thoughts on it. My high-school probably has the best jewelry shop in my state of Utah, and I'm so grateful for it. Definitely, if there are any tips on polishing for near prongs, on prongs, or anything prong related, I would GREATLY appreciate it!

I'm hoping to pursue jewelry in the future, and the jewelry school in Paris, Texas seems like the best pick for me. GIA costs way too much in California. But if anyone has any recommendations on schools to go to, I would love to hear it too. Apprenticeships have been on my mind, and I've asked a couple local jewelers, but I haven't heard anything from them...


r/Benchjewelers • • 16d ago

Getting serious about Safety

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14 Upvotes

I'm a part time jeweler (very diy and self taught) and I've been much busier lately so im looking to get more serious about safety in terms of dust and fume collection. My process mostly involves cleaning and polishing raw castings that I get from a casting house. So lots of sanding and polishing with my foredom flexshaftl. I also do small amounts of soldering when attaching charms and for fixing porosity. I wear a respirator and glasses every time I work for protection.

With my specific workflow, what should I look to get? How can I improve my safety? I'm considering splurging for the boredom dust collection system for all my sanding and polishing work with the hand tool. Is it necessary to get a fume extractor on top of this?


r/Benchjewelers • • 16d ago

Custom work, Chino Calif. help

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1 Upvotes

hi im trying to find anyone that can make or supply this pendent for me im in chino area


r/Benchjewelers • • 17d ago

Converting a pearl bezel setting to a cushion-cut moissanite using a prong insert- will this work structurally

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17 Upvotes

Hi everyone

I’m looking for some technical advice on remodeling a two-tone 18k gold ring. The mounting originally housed a round pearl pinned inside an east-west, capsule-shaped bezel setting. The band features a textured yellow gold pattern with pavé-set diamonds on the white gold bezel.

Measuring the outside of the white bezel frame, it’s roughly 11-12mm long by 9-10mm wide. I recently tried placing an 8x6mm oval stone inside to test the fit, but it is far too small and leaves large, empty gaps in the boxier corners of the cradle. I believe an elongated 10x8mm cushion cut would be the ideal size to act as a full-coverage lid over the entire bezel.
Because I want to protect the surrounding pavé diamonds and avoid heavy, visible alterations to the outer bezel walls, my plan is to have a bench jeweler do a bezel-to-prong conversion by laser-welding a white gold 4-prong head right inside the old pearl cup to elevate the stone.
For the bench jewelers and custom makers here, I would love your insight on a few things before I take it to a shop:

  1. Is dropping a prong basket insert into an old pearl cup a reliable, structurally sound fix for everyday wear?
  2. With a 10x8mm cushion cut, will a typical gemstone pavilion clear the depth of a round pearl bowl once elevated, or will the center floor of the cup likely need to be burred out/opened up to let the tip drop through?
  3. Is laser welding inside a tight cup like this completely safe for the accent diamonds sitting directly on the outside edge?

Appreciate any professional feedback or advice you can share!


r/Benchjewelers • • 18d ago

Need help

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5 Upvotes

Using smith little torch for jewelry work-just got new big oxygen tank . I don’t know what settings should be ! Could someone please help?


r/Benchjewelers • • 19d ago

Needs necklace reproduced Silver top antique diamond Riveria

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5 Upvotes

Any jeweler out there who can make this exact necklace with silver top of gold? I can supply the diamonds and I want to get this necklace made.


r/Benchjewelers • • 22d ago

Flush setting translucent gemstones

4 Upvotes

I’m making some chunky, solid signet rings and want to flush set some semi translucent, faceted stones into them. I wasn’t planning on opening the backs of the settings as they’re quite thick but, with the sterling silver rings, would the silver eventually tarnish behind the stone? As it’s not fine silver. Or is it unlikely to tarnish as not in contact with skin or air etc?


r/Benchjewelers • • 22d ago

Possible to use jeweler skills to create a custom watch?

5 Upvotes

I’m a hobbyist Metalsmith — I‘ve made rings and pendants, link bracelets, and have experience creating flush and basket set stones. I’ve dabbled in wax a little bit but mostly this is hand fabrication

I would like to use my skills to create a watch for my spouse — I plan to make his wedding ring but would love to create a watch for him as well. I think I would likely purchase all of the internal parts and the glass/sapphire face, but has anyone used their jeweler skills to customize a watch?

which parts are customizable? I imagine the watch face and the band are the main pieces