Why this small skill makes a massive difference in permanent jewelry welding

If you’ve been working in permanent jewelry for any amount of time, you’ve probably heard this phrase before:

“Check your tungsten.”

It sounds simple — almost throwaway — but in reality, sharpening your tungstens is one of the most overlooked (and misunderstood) skills in permanent jewelry training.  This is extra important if you choose to forgo - or just find yourself without - argon. I've seen it even on my own team; I'm the "sharpen your tungsten" broken record before every big event and team training.  

And yet…It’s often the difference between a clean, confident weld and a frustrating day, or sloppy looking jump rings, leaving your chair.

What Is a Tungsten — and Why It Matters

Your tungsten electrode is the point of contact between your welder and the metal. It controls:

• Arc stability

• Heat precision

• Spark consistency

• Control on delicate chains

A dull or improperly shaped tungsten forces you to compensate — more power, more retries, more broken links. That’s when confidence drops, repairs increase, and the experience suffers (for you and your client).

The Level of Importance: What They Don't You in Most Permanent Jewelry Training

Here’s the truth we don’t hear enough:

Most permanent jewelry education mentions tungsten sharpening — but doesn’t actually teach it.

You’ll hear things like:

• “Sharpen when needed”

• “Replace if it looks bad”

• “Use a grinder”

What’s missing is the why and the how:

• How sharp is sharp enough?

• What angle works best for fine chains vs thicker styles?

• How does tungsten shape affect arc behavior?

• When is sharpening better than replacing?

These are bench-learned skills — not checklist items.

What a Properly Sharpened Tungsten Does

When your tungsten is correctly sharpened, you’ll notice:

• A tighter, more controlled arc

• Faster welds at lower power

• Less heat spread (huge for fine gold & mixed-metal chains)

• Fewer failed closures

• Cleaner weld points that feel more professional

This is where welding stops feeling reactive — and starts feeling intentional.

Why This Skill Is Taught Best In Person

Tungsten sharpening isn’t just visual — it’s tactile.

In person, we can show you:

• The angle that actually works (not just “pointy”)

• How different chain types respond to different tungsten shapes

• What not to do (this matters more than you think)

• How to troubleshoot arc behavior in real time

You can hear the welder change.
You can see the spark tighten.
You can feel the difference immediately.

That feedback loop is almost impossible to replicate through video alone.

Permanent Jewelry Is a Skill — Not Just a Trend

Permanent jewelry may be having a moment online, but longevity in this space comes from craftsmanship.

Sharpening your tungstens properly:

• Extends the life of your equipment

• Improves your weld quality

• Builds confidence behind the bench

• Protects the jewelry you’re attaching to someone’s body

It’s a small detail — but it’s a professional one.

Learn This (and More) In Our In-Person Permanent Jewelry Training

At Golden Bond Jewelry, our in-person permanent jewelry training is designed for artists who want more than surface-level instruction.

We don’t just teach what to do — we teach why it works, how to adjust it, and how to troubleshoot when things don’t go perfectly (because they won’t — and that’s normal).

Our training includes:

• Hands-on welding instruction

• Real-world bench setup guidance

• Chain behavior education

• Tungsten sharpening & maintenance

• Business and service insight from artists who weld every week

Whether you’re brand new or refining your technique, this is about sharpening your skills — literally and professionally.

👉 Explore our in-person permanent jewelry training here: In Person Permanent Jewelry Training