My Complete Jewelry Business Tools Guide

Everything I use to design, organize, ship, and grow my jewelry business—trusted tools I rely on every day.

Building this jewelry business has been such a creative joy — but let’s be honest, it’s also been a lot of learning as I go. From designing with natural pearls, gemstones, and shells to sourcing materials, packing orders, and shipping everything out, I’ve tried more tools and supplies than I can count. Some have become daily studio staples… and others were definite “lesson learned” moments.

After many years of figuring it out the hard way, I finally pulled together this list of tools, apps, packaging, displays, and organization supplies that keep me going & make running this business easier (or at least I'm trying!). Many of these items are mentioned throughout my blog, but I wanted to bring everything together in one easy-to-find place — so whether you’re purchasing jewelry and want to know more about what it took to produce or you’re building your own jewelry business, I hope this helps!

A quick note: Some links may take you to Amazon, and if you choose to purchase through them, I receive a small commission — at no extra cost to you. I only share what I truly use and believe in.

Find What You're Looking For:

Tools  |  Jewelry Suppliers  |  Storage & Organization  |  Photo Supplies

Package & Studio Supplies  |  Displays  |  App & Digital Tools

Tools & Supplies

Wire Wrapping Pliers

• Lindstrom: These are my go to tools for all my hand pliers (round nose, flat nose, flush cutter, etc.). I like the ergo grip pliers (with the Blue/Black handles). But all their pliers & cutters are wonderful.
• Crimping pliers (standard & micro) 
• Bail making pliers 
• Beadsmith big wrapper pliers
• Beadsmith flat nose nylon pliers (for bending and straightening wire) 

Beading Supplies, Drilling, Pearl Knotting

• Jewelry Mat - Measuring & guide for sizing. I chose this one because it measures up to 17" which is super handy.
• Jewelry Mat (non-slip): I use this one over the one above to keep my beads from rolling all over.  
• Pearl knotting tweezers
• Dremel drill (for shells) 
• Beading needles 
• Bead spinner
• Curved needles (for bead spinner) 
• Softflex Beading Wire - I swear by this brand 
  • Soft Touch - for very fine beads & gemstones. Has a nice drape to it for tiny pearls & gemstones. 
  • Soft Flex - for medium sized beads & gemstones 
• Stretch cord - Opelon
• Bead Stoppers - To keep my beads from falling off my softflex. 
• G-S Hypo Cement - For securing knots
  
• Beadalon Bead Reamer - This is great for giving those tiny holes a bit more room for my wire.
• Beadalon Bead Reamer refills
• Digital Calipers to measure gemstones & pearls. Not the same as mine since I bought mine a long time ago, but find one that works for you. Very handy for measuring all your small components, gemstones & pearls.
• Beadsmith Triangle trays - If you don't want to pick up teeny-tiny beads all day long, this is your go to. If you spill, these are a life-saver! I use them for that, plus sorting gems & pearls I want to put together for my designs. I also take these with me to shows to my gems & beads don't roll of the table when I'm making or fixing something. Super handy! 
• Fiskars Scissors (for pretty much cutting everything not metal)

Wire Component Making Tools (i.e. tools for handmade wire hoops)

• Chasing hammer
• Bench block
• Ring mandrel

Trusted Jewelry Suppliers

These are my go to suppliers of wholesale gold filled & sterling silver components. Including wire, clasps, headpins, ear wires, Gemstones & Pearls. Highly recommended:

• USA direct office for major jewelry wholesaler (Wholesale Only) 
  Steve Mendelson
  
  info@beadbus.com
  (818) 929-6670
  
  
• Kamal Trading (Wholesale)
• Beads of Cambay
• PF Jewelry - I buy all my Tahitian & Edison Pearls from them. Always beautiful. 

Storage & Organization

These are my go to trays & storage for all my gemstones & pearls.  These are awesome! Great to travel with since they have lids that snap closed. They come with the containers, but I always need more to change in & out depending on how many types of gemstones & pearls I have.

• Elizabeth Ward Bead Organizer - Tray w/45 containers
• Elizabeth Ward Bead Organizer - Tray w/78 containers
• Bead storage solutions - Bead design tray with top for travel
• Elizabeth Ward Tiny Bead Storage Containers
• Elizabeth Ward Small Bead Storage Containers
• Elizabeth Ward Medium Bead Storage Containers
• Elizabeth Ward Large Bead Storage Containers
• Elfa storage - Mix & match for your needs. The trays above fit nicely into their drawer units. 
  
• Baskets for organizing
  • Baskets
  • More Baskets
• Fun Binder Clips (to clip labels to your baskets!)
  
  • Flowers
  • Lots of sizes & fun prints

Photo Supplies

• Replica Surfaces - Great setup for small items like jewelry!
• Lighting
  • 10" ring light
  • Softbox lighting kit.
  • Portable LED hanging lantern - This works great at the roof of your tent for Art Fairs. There's a hook that fits on the tent rails. Very handy for dim/nightime shows. Rechargeable & lasted about 5 hours for me.
  • Canvas - I have the marble base & the clamp attachment and use them both.
  • Lighting for indoor shows
• Trays/sea salt/props - For Art Fairs, I purchased my display trays at Home Goods & TJ Maxx.
  • Sea salt - I started using the chunky sea salt to keep my pearl necklaces from rolling. You'll see this as a base in most of my photos.
• Manfrotto Tripod with smartphone adapter

Packaging & Studio Supplies

• Jewelry Pouches
  
• Organza Pouches
  
• Custom Polishing Clothes
• Jewelry Boxes 
• Bubble Mailers
• Business Cards, Photo boards, Logo banner, thank you stickers
• Custom Earrings & Necklace Cards
• Jewelry Label Printer 
  
  
  I did a lot of research to find jewelry labels that did not stick to my chains and gemstones.  Most labels have adhesive across the entire width of the label. So when you fold it in half over a chain or beads, the center part sticks. If you want to be able to slide the label along the chain, that makes it very difficult and frustrating.
  
  I chose this label maker for my jewelry tags because I wanted a professional look and no sticking! 
  
  This label maker can also be used to print mailing labels!  More on that after I do some more research.
  
  • Jewelry Labels for this printer
    
  • Youtube video - This is the only video I could find that explained the Dymo label maker & exactly how to print these jewelry labels. I did not download my data from Shopify but found a way to create my labels in Google sheets, export them & print with the Dymo App. If you're interested in the whole process, let me know!
• Desk shelving
• Label maker - I love this label maker! I use this to label all my gems & Pearls, for pricing, etc. It has so many different fonts, sizes, cute little symbols.
  
  • Label Maker refills
• Avery labels (that I use in my regular HP printer)
  When I need to print labels for jewelry that is going in a store, pre-packaged on cards, these are the labels I use for that.  I use the Dymo jewelry tags for everything else. I chose removable labels in case there is pricing info someone might want to remove.
  • Removable for back of necklace cards
    
  • Removable for back of earring cards
  • Removable tiny tags
  • Clean edge business cards (for upcoming show lists, anything I want to print myself beside my business cards)

Jewelry Displays For In-Person Shows

I have bought and tried out many different displays. Below are my favorites after years of trial & error.  Displays in general should look coherent. Think same colored necklace/earring/bracelet displays. Also try to keep things on brand with your colors if possible. 

• Table Cloths - I picked these because I wanted a tablecloth that was long enough for an 8ft table (not standard, but sometimes used). Most tables (that I use & events sometimes provide) are the 6ft Costco style tables. But I have used the 8ft tables and normal tablecloths don't fit very well.  This site has that and more. If it's a little long, I just knot the ends at the corners as needed.
• Mirrorvana Mirror - This is a beautiful mirror that is collapsible so you can easily bring it to shows.  It swivels so people short & tall can view themselves. I love the beveled edges. Gives it such a sophisticated look! I've had mine for 7 years and it's still beautiful!
• Necklace Displays
  • Tall T-bar suede
  • Necklace suede display
  • Tall bamboo display
  • Shorter/wider bamboo display
  • Linen necklace display
• Earring displays
  • Suede T-bar
  • Linen T-bar
  • White T-bar
• Bracelet displays
  • Tan suede
• Risers
  • Collapsible Boxes (that I use as risers)
  • Acrylic

Apps & Digital Tools

• Shopify - My website and storefront. 
• Canva - For graphics, images, gift guides. Canva is one of my most-used apps. There is a free version, but the paid (yearly subscription) gives you so much more!
• Mailchimp - The email platform I use to stay in touch with my community. From sales, to show dates, to product launches.
• Lightroom Classic - My go to for editing all my photos. 
• Etsy - Where I first started and still sell my jewelry.