r/Benchjewelers

I am looking for a pneumatic engraver mainly for jewelry making. I’m still a hobbyist and don’t have a high volume of work—I may make one ring a week at most. I’m mainly interested in engraving rings and other small jewelry pieces and want something that gives me good control and precision.

Since I’m not making money from this, I don’t necessarily need a professional high-end setup, but I also don’t want to buy something cheap that I’ll want to replace after a couple of months.

What would you recommend as a good beginner/intermediate pneumatic engraving setup? I’d appreciate hearing what machines you started with, what you would avoid, and whether spending more upfront is actually worth it.

Hi everyone,
I’m looking for recommendations for a trustworthy and responsive jeweller who may be able to take on a bespoke engagement ring at fairly short notice. Hatton Garden would be ideal, but I’m open to reputable jewellers elsewhere in London or the UK if they can work remotely and deliver within a tight timeframe.
The ring I’m hoping to have made is:
Approximately 3-carat lab-grown radiant-cut diamond
Eye-clean, ideally a high colour grade
IGI or GIA certified
Plain 18k yellow-gold band
Four-prong setting with a discreet hidden halo
Setting raised sufficiently for a straight wedding or eternity band to sit flush alongside it
Clean, elegant and understated overall—nothing bulky or overly ornate
I had been speaking with one jeweller who initially seemed very promising and was supposed to provide a CAD design, diamond details and pricing. Unfortunately, communication has now stopped and I haven’t received the promised CAD or even an update, so I’m exploring alternatives before I lose any more time.
The ring is needed by the end of the month. so I realise the timescale is challenging. I’m ready to make decisions quickly, but I don’t want to compromise on certification, stone quality or workmanship.
Can anyone personally recommend a jeweller who:
Produces good-quality bespoke CAD work
Is experienced with radiant cuts and lab-grown diamonds
Communicates reliably
Can provide videos and full certification for the exact stone
Offers clear pricing and realistic delivery dates
Has handled a genuinely fast turnaround successfully
First-hand experiences would be especially helpful. If possible, please mention how long your ring took, approximately what you paid, and whether the aftercare was good.
Thank you—I’d really appreciate any recommendations.

I had to sweep my whole area and eventually found it.

Then instantly dropped it again.

I'm so over this! I found it again, now I'm sitting on the floor wondering if I should get up or just stay here and starve.

Calgon take me away!

i had a gold ornament weighed 80 grams at the time of purchase.. agter using for 5 years wanted to trade off.. weighed 79 grams as ornament and when melted it was down to 74.5 grams .. my parents are not happy with it.. did the jeweller cheat me?

Hi! I’m 21(f) and i recently got an apprenticeship to be a jeweler 2 and a half months ago and honestly i’m struggling. I can do simple sizing and chain repairs but I’m having a really difficult time polishing rings. Every time I use the sandpaper or flat lap, there are still scratches before getting to the gray star. I’m feeling really discouraged and i don’t want to be the reason we are behind on shipping out repairs, especially when the holidays get here. I don’t know if i’m missing steps or not taking long enough(ironically it feels like I’m on a single ring forever) and i’m getting really disheartened at not knowing what i’m doing wrong. My manager will tell me small things but for some reason it’s just not clicking on what i need to do and I feel dumb for not getting it.

I finally feel like i’m in a career that i’m passionate about and i know it takes time to learn and be a master but if I can’t polish a ring then what am I even doing? I don’t want my coworkers and manager feel like they have to pick up my slack and i don’t want to be a burden to my shop.

Can i please get some advice on what to do/steps to follow/ tools to use that are effective in getting cosmetic issues out of the way before polish? (or on being an apprentice/jeweler in general)If anyone can give me some advice it would be greatly appreciated :(

Hello,

Looking to buy a small unit that manufactures imitation jewellery anywhere. Please connect via DM

Hi :) I’m a student at the Academy of Fine Arts in Rome. I study sculpture. Over the years, I’ve realized I’m more skilled at creating jewelry than making sculptures. Is it possible to get an apprenticeship with a portfolio, or do I need to attend a jewelry-making school?

Ive been looking around for apprentice jeweler positions in my area and I have a few interviews/bench test coming up next week. I’ve taken a years worth of metalwork and stone setting classes at the local arts center, and I was feeling pretty ok about my experience being decent enough to start as an apprentice, but one of the jewelers made a comment about “having to reteach me everything”when I mentioned the arts center classes, which has made me feel less confident about my skills. How much experience did you have when you started off as an apprentice? I am now worried I’m just going to embarrass myself at the bench test

EDIT: thanks everyone who has commented for sharing your thoughts! It’s reassuring to hear that I’m probably overreacting to the comment. I do have a tendency to overthink small things like this, I will work on not psyching myself out so much 😬

Hello, I found this sub through recommendations on Reddit because of my browsing history. I hope this is the correct forum for this question.
I own a business where I make small home decor pieces, tealight holders, trinket trays and box and painting kits. Located in USA/CT.
I want to expand into jewelry design and started collecting stones. I have solitaire stones and also smaller lots BUT I am in no way capable of casting and creating the pieces I have in mind. I’ve done a few basic internet search but what I’m finding it’s really what I’m looking for.
What is the best way to find a bench jeweler to work with? What questions should I ask?

Seeking for an experienced Goldsmith / Bench Jeweler to join our growing luxury jewelry studio in Cleveland, Ohio.

We specialize in custom jewelry, engagement rings, heirloom restoration, and high-end repairs while delivering an exceptional concierge experience.

This position is ideal for someone who takes pride in precision craftsmanship and enjoys working on both repair work and custom projects.

If you are someone or know someone who would be interested please leave a comment with contact information :)

Thank you!