What Should I Bring?

Please take time to read the following:

If you have your own tools (such as optivisor, jewelers pliers, etc.) that you wish to work with, by all means bring them with you but do not go out and buy tools as you may find you have purchased the wrong ones. Tools are supplied for the class instruction except for advanced classes; you must have your own tools to work with in these classes – a partial list is below. You may purchase tools here at the school. Also bring any stones that you may want to use or learn to identify. A notebook and pen will be very necessary. You will find you need an optivisor in most of the classes, so don’t forget to bring one.

Our instructors have supplies available, but if you have your own you may prefer to bring them to use or to get the instructor's advice on their appropriateness.

On Tuesday night there is an auction, all donations welcomed (items do not have to be related to lapidary). You have a free afternoon on Wednesday for sightseeing or a field trip. Thursday night is tailgating; if you have something to sell that’s your time to do it.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Enameling Tools

• Fine pointed tweezers
• Medium flat files
• OptiVisor
• Round and flat nose pliers
• Saw frames and blades
• Small pointed scissors (embroidery type)
• Small round sable brush

Gold Smithing Tool List

• Bezel Setting Tools
• Burnisher(s)
• Charcoal Soldering Block
• Flush Cutters
• Measuring Tools
• Optivisor
• Pliers: Round, Chain, Flat, Needle Nose, Flat/Half Round, Forming
• Propane/oxygen ‘Little Torch’ is strongly recommended
• Ring Clamp
• Saw Frame/Blades
• Scriber
• Setting Tools
• Solder Cutting Shears
• Solder Pick
• Tweezers

Silver II Tool List

• ½ Round File
• Apron
• Beeswax
• Burnisher, curved
• Drill Bit #50, #55
• Flexshaft or Dremel
• Needle Files
• Pliers, Chain Nose
• Pliers, Flat Nose
• Pliers, Round Nose
• Punch (a nail will do)
• Shears/Cutter
• Solder Pick
• Steel Block (small)
• Steel Inch & mm Ruler
• Sterling Stamp
• Tweezers (Sharp & Insulated)
• Wire Cutters
• Wood, Plastic or Leather Mallet

Silver Clay Supply List – Level I

The student can bring any or all of the following equipment and Supplies. Do not go out and buy these. The only piece of equipment you must have is an optivisor which you may rent from the school for use during class or purchase one from the school on Monday morning.

• 1 mm Slats for Rolling Clay Sheet
• 35 mm film canisters
• Badger balm or similar hand protector oil/ointment
• Burnishing tools
• Clay Roller
• Clay Tools, Craft Knives, Dental Tools
• Drawing Paper
• Drinking Straws
• Hair Dryers
• Optivisor
• Paint brushes – 1 flat, 1 small pointed
• Plastic Food Wrap
• Plastic Work Sheet
• Pliers: Round Nose, Chain Nose, Flat Nose
• Poster Board
• Post-it Notes
• Rawhide mallet
• Ring sizers
• Sandpaper: 600, 1000 & 1200 grit
• Scissors
• Sheet protectors
• Stone setting tweezers
• Tape, cellophane or masking
• Texture Material: lace, rubber stamps, textured plates
• Wire brushes
• Wire Cutters
• Wooden ring mandrels

Wirecraft II Tool List

• Dowels or other forming tools
• Emery paper, very fine
• File
• Flush cutters
• Masking Tape
• Optivisor
• Permanent marker, very fine point
• Pin vise
• Pliers with smooth jaws: Chain Nose, Flat Nose, Round Nose, Forming (optional)
• Pocket knife
• Polishing cloth or rag
• Ruler, English and Metric
• Scissors
• Solvent (lighter fluid or fingernail polish remover)
• Telephone wire (if you use it to bind your wire bundles)