VERY, VERY OLD 'Setting & Jewellery' tools. (16 photos)

 There are many Gemstone and Diamond Setting tools abound and many come from different countries. There is a history on many of them, I enjoy showing these antiques to you, why?

 I want their own history to continue with the help of my blog. What new tools today will be history' in the next version of that tool. Even my 240x power Digital Microscope is now a 'tool of the past'. My 'Inside, Ring-Holder' is now completely outdated, as it's now nearly 20 years OLD.

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 This Diamond Scale has a very rich history, this was my Fathers' (z"l) scale that he used in London, England, and as well as here in Toronto, Canada circa 1930 - 1968.

 The scale was hand-held with the aid of a string. He put these little weights in one scoop and the diamond on the other to be weighed.

 Accuracy was almost accurate, but it was a start to give him an idea of the stone weight. The tweezers were stored in the lid of the box. The weights were in Grams and DWT (penny weights)

On the left is a rotating 'wire, buffing-wheel' and with another grinding wheel on the right. To operate the turning action, there were pulleys attached to an electric motor situated on the floor.

 Would you believe that this was the forerunner of a 'Bench Grinder'? This large wheel must have weighed 50-60 pounds and this is without the wooden, bench supports. Imagine grinding your gravers on this (what ever you want to call it).

 This graver had a long history, it was a beginning of your Onglette graver. The name was a "Bull Stick", strange name but it is still in my collection of old tools. The date of this graver goes back to circa 1940. My teacher (Stan Levine, z"l ) gave it to me and I cherish it.

 The slanted shape of the front of this graver had only one use. It was to create exceptional designs in gold or in silver. The 'cutting action' was only on one side. My own Onglette graver is shaped like this tool. I call it a "Right-Sided, Bright-Cutting Onglette Graver".

  Imagine that this simple "Bull Stick" created these fantastic Onglette cuts? Remember that this was 'light years' before CAD was even a twinkle in anyone's brain cells.

 By the way, the jewellers and setters had to learn how to make each of their own tools. None of these were bought in tool supply stores like we do today. 

 In some countries that I hear that this 'pump drill' is still being used, why? Electricity is not always available.

 My Dad had business cards printed with a long list of 'fractions and decimals'. As many of his clients worked in machine shops and these were so darned helpful for them.

  Can you believe that this is a barbers shaving brush? I use it every day, it has a wide swath and is gentle for cleaning up the inside of the bench.

 Here are a few of the close up photos of his Diamond Scale and it's tweezers.

Here are the individual weights with their 'grams & carat' weights.

 This was bought so long ago, I just 'Googled' their name, YES they are still in business. The name tag is on the lid of this box.

 This "Inside, Ring Holder" was shown to me as a suggestion, I bought it about 20+ years ago. I used it in many of my essays, I'm so happy that I did.

   In my 'setting bench' there are a collection of very useful setting tools that I still use. Even in this year 2023, I keep my bench in pristine condition as all of my setting tools are in easy reach.

 

 I hope that you had a joyful trip down 'memory lane'?
 gerrylewy18@gmail.com