Barrel polisher
Used for cleaning and polishing metal or gemstones.
Base metal
A common and cheap metal, as opposed to precious metals such as silver or gold.
Bead setting tools
A set of pointed cutting tools used to raise a small head of metal called a bead. These raised beads are used to set stones.
Bearer wire
An additional ring of metal inside a metal on which the gemstone rests.
Bench peg
A wooden rest to support the work and tools during the making process.
Bezel
A band of metal holding a gemstone in its setting. For a cabochon, this relies on the side angle of the stone to secure the stone. For a faceted stone, a groove is cut into the wall of the bezel.
Bezel pusher
A tool to flatten and smooth the bezel against the stone.
Binding wire
Soft iron wire used to hold parts together during soldering.
Blanking
A shearing process in which a punch and die are used to punch out a shaped piece of sheet metal.
Bobs
See Mops
Borax
A whitish mineral used as a flux.
Brass
An inexpensive alloy of copper and zinc which tarnishes easily. Brass is harder than silver, but with a lower melting point.
Brass brush
Used for cleaning metal, or to impart a soft satin surface.
Brilliant cut
This round cut is the most common shape of faceted gemstone, as it maximises the reflected light.
Bronze
A hard brittle alloy consisting mainly of copper, usually with tin as the primary additive.
Buffs
See Mops
Bullion
Precious metals in bulk form such as ingots.
Bur
A metal tool mounted in a flexible shaft used for grinding.
Burin
A steel engraving tool with a rounded wooden handle.
Burr
A raised edge of waste material left after processes such as engraving, filing or drilling.
Burnisher
A tool that smooths over the surface of metal by compressing irregularities.
