What does a "BEAD BURNISHER" do? =>13 photos

 To put this into perspective, a Bead Burnisher has just one role. That role is to make all of the sharp bead tips as smooth as possible.

                             

 After my 'Pre-Cutting' has been completed, the next important step is to round off the tips. This should be done immediately after metal cutting, allowing Genuine Emeralds to be set without the risk of breaking the soft stones.

 You can now see 'where and when' the burnisher works its magic.

 

    

  The burnisher may smooth the sharp bead tip, but this should be done with some coordinated skill involved.

 

 Again, here is another bead setting pattern aptly named "French Setting". In this pattern, only 2 beads are holding one stone. These two beads must be smoothed like 'little balls' sitting over the Girdle of the stone.

 The tip of the burnisher must sit gently against the 'Table Facet'. This is why I create a flange on the edge of the tool. That flange will rest on top of the stone. 

 My teacher taught me the technique 65 years ago.

 This 'flange technique' can be gently used on 'ANY SOFT STONE'.

 This burnishing process can be used on any mini-claws. But the burnisher must cover the mini-claw, without leaving a rim around the tip.

 Here is a selection of burnishers with the flange being created.

 With a burnisher moving the mini-claw, the inside of the tool gently smooths the claw. 

   Here is the completed series of 'burnished claws'. You can see that the burnisher is being held at a 45-degree angle, not vertical.