Getting Acquainted With Your Burnishing Tool

Recommended Tools & Supplies:
Burnishers
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In this video, Professor John Ahr of the Online Jewelry Academy explains the how to refine and use your burnishing tool.
Burnishing tools are often used for basic DIY stone setting operations. It's the perfect tool for smoothing a bezel around a cabochon. But, burnishers have a number of other uses. This handy tool can be a labor saving device that will quickly fix a number of common jewelry making issues.
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[@juliew1426]

What's gotten into you, John? Was it a full moon when you recorded this ; )

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

LOL! Hey Julie, I always say that there is a component to jewelry making that just sounds sexy for some odd reason. I hope we made you laugh. Thanks for your support! : )

[@tb4876]

Haha! I love the way you blend humor and great advice!

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

Glad you like my odd sense of humor. I find that if I can make students laugh they tend to better retain the information from my lectures. Thanks for your support! : )

[@Jerseysoycandles]

Oh yea John...you're definitely in rare form here . Haha, I love it. Always Love your videos even better with a sense of humor

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

Hi Donna, Glad i could make you laugh. Thanks for your support! : )

[@robinminkler]

Thanks for all the great info! I had no idea what I was in for when I typed in 'burnisher' lol!

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

Hi Robin, LOL! Yes, the OJA tries to spice up your bench sometimes. Otherwise the information might put you to sleep. Glad you got something worthwhile out of the video. Thanks for your support! : )

[@Bc-nw9qk]

Im no jeweler but i ended up dropping my ring and denting it. So I used a stainless steel ear picker as a burnisher and it smoothed it out! But thanks to your video I will definetly use spit / dishdetergent as a lubricant next time!

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

Sounds like a plan. Glad you learned a trick from the video. Thanks for watching! 😀

[@4nbop80user]

Super video ! Often wondering how they made such fine detailed work in the Middle Ages (I’m a European and we have those incredible shrines in gold). Spit, soap, etc. and these days we tend to use expensive tools that go quick but not necessarily finer jewelry. Re burnishers : I saw someone on YT use a burnisher to get that ‘melted’ look on the sides of his pieces. Loved that ! Do you have a video on that ? I’m learning a lot from you and I love the ‘no expensive tools needed’ !

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

Glad you’re enjoying the OJA’s videos. Thanks for watching! We do not have the type of tutorial video that you mentioned. But we have many other tips and tricks to share. 😀

[@MzdrMooner]

Learning about burnishing for a piece I'm making for an anniversary and this is the gem I find. This is how i want to learn everything now.

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

Wow! Thank you for the positive feedback. Good luck with your project. 🍀 😀

[@nuclearswan]

Pretty much the coolest lesson he’s done.

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

Glad you liked the video. We have one coming out soon that I'm sure you'll enjoy. Thanks for your support! : )

[@Greg_Diode]

This guy's a riot🤣 Thanks for the lesson!😊

[@saltamas]

Watched my 1st video and subscribed. Ive collected cut gemstones for a while. With all I've collected I decided to start setting stones, and I found some silver rings. The listing said something about burnishing so here I am. Why use a burnishing tool in lieu of a rotary tool with a flannel or cloth polishing wheel? Ive done very well using these. Am I missing out on something better? Is an electric rotary not as good as a proper burninshing shaft?

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

@@saltamas the short answer is that you can’t automate stone setting. Burnishers are vital in the process. Thanks for watching! 😀

[@saltamas]

@@OnlineJewelryAcademy Thank you. I'll keep watching OJA videos .

[@zobobeebo8011]

Thought I'd stumbled onto a dodgy video 😆 brilliant, thanks so much just bought one and had no idea how to properly use it (hence scratches everywhere, will get sanding and lubricating!! 🙈).

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

LOL! Thanks for checking out this video. It's one of my personal favorites. Can you imagine how boring a completely "straight" video on burnishers would be? You're welcome. ; ) Thanks for your support! : )

[@juliepeck6915]

Lol 😂 that was the best haha

[@joannachekowska3216]

The most sensual episode on this channel

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

LOL 😂 Thanks for watching!

[@flyingcheff]

I can't STOP loving you!

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

LOL! Spread the word that I'm lovable.

[@juaffle]

Is the chrome coating to keep the tool from corroding before you buy it?

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

Yes. Other steel tools maybe coated in an oily material to prevent corrosion on warehouse shelves. 😀

[@juaffle]

@@OnlineJewelryAcademy thank you

[@juaffle]

Makes sense

[@X__jbunny__x]

Thank you!!

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

Glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for watching! 😀

[@daykangemcutting8679]

what?

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

LOL. Just seeing who is paying attention. 😀

[@TrinaBurmeister]

I subscribed immediately upon the great dirty opening, for that alone.

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

😂 Thanks for subscribing. You have helped the OJA get closer toward gaining 100K subscribers. We appreciate your support.

[@dancruz7845]

That was pretty much the creepiest jewelry lesson I've ever watched... anyway what burnisher would people recommend for flush setting small 2 or 3mm stones?

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

Hey Dan, If you found that video creepy, then be sure to skip this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y5nCfqKalJWoibc On a serious note, the best burnisher to use for flush setting is one that you have to make yourself. What you need is a large round graver handle and a 3 inch length of 3mm round tool stock steel. First, put a tapered point on one end of the steel shaft and insert it into the pre-drilled graver handle. Then, place the handle against the middle of your palm and then grab the steel shaft with all of your fingertips. Mark about 3 to 5 mm below where your fingertips touch the metal. Cut off the excess (assuming there is some) at this point. Apply a point to the end of the shaft using a grinder then finishing on a belt sander. Sand the end to a 600 grit and keep the point kind of rounded like an onion dome. Then, high polish the end using your buffer. There you have it. Thanks for your support! : )

[@Fenderbender1046]

Hi, love your videos. When I polish up the surface on my polishing tools, I sand and buffer them like you do, but for the final shine i use a fine ruby or diamond powder and a piece of thick leather (pig or ox), and rub the polishing tool against the leather to get that extra finish. A lot of work, but it's worth it. A small drop of ammonium (is that correct in english) together with water and washing-up liquid will make an exellent base for a great finish.

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

Thanks for the great information. I hope that others will read the comments section and discover your valuable tips. Thanks for your support! : )

[@ThePillenwerfer]

Love the intro!

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

LOL! Glad you like my sense of humor. Thanks for your support! : )

[@dawn881]

ohhhh soooo funny !! and informative thanks john you are one of a kind.

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

LOL! Thanks for watching. 🤣

[@bullpups4life189]

I laughed my ass off and subscribed.

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

LOL! Yay! We love it when we make our viewers laugh. Thanks for your support! : )

[@shemhaque2758]

Awesome thanks for the advice. I reckon if I bumped into you in a pub you would be a great laugh ! haha

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

Glad you liked the tip. If you bought me a pint I'd be really fun. Thanks for your support! : )

[@millybells]

shem mey He would probably use his best burnishing equipment to sort your bump out!

[@jaykay415]

When you say to sand it with the buffer, do you recommend a compound on the buffer, and if so, which one(s)? Thanks!

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

No, I said to sand the burnishers to about 400 or 600 grit and then take them to the buffer to apply a mirror polish. Good luck with your project. Thanks for your support! : )

[@jaykay415]

+OnlineJewelryAcademy I meant polish at the buffer- so it sounds like no compound at the buffer, if I'm hearing you right. thanks :)

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

You can use the same polishing compounds that you use to polish your jewelry items. It will work just fine on the tool steel. Glad we uncrossed our wires. Thanks for your support! : )

[@Jerseysoycandles]

This is really, Very informative.

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

Hi again Donna, Glad that you found this video informative. We struggled to find a way to make the dry topic of burnishing fun. Thanks for your support! : )

[@sandstorm6605]

Great video John!

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

Hey Ryan, Glad you liked the video. Thanks for your support! : )

[@celesteg5984]

Great advice, thanks

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

Glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for your support! : )

[@thesixthcompany2151]

Lmao

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

Glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for your support! : )

[@samarahrain7931]

Haha, what a tool 😉

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

It is! Glad you enjoyed this this silly but informative video. Thanks for your support! : )