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Chris, from your other posts, it looks like you're doing mostly bead jewelry, so you won't need to worry about the polishing stuff yet. But cwolf's suggestions for the jewelry pliers & cutters is spot on. You can get away with very inexpensive pliers to start (usually $5-10). Once you figure out how far you want to go with the jewelry making, you may want to invest in better tools. They do make a difference!

If you work with split rings, you might like one of those pliers meant to work with split rings, but I never got very proficient with them, and I don't use split rings anymore anyway.

In addition to needle files, I have several "pin vises", which are small pen-like hand drills. These are useful for all kinds of bead tasks, like removing bits of junk from bead holess and even reaming out bead holes slightly. You can get these from most hardware stores, and they often come with a collection of very tiny drill bits inside the handle. They should cost less than $10 a set. Their official name is pin vise, but I'm finding many people don't know that anymore! So try "miniature hand drill".... :^)

I think Rings'n'Things actually sells bead reamers, which is similar to a needle file but much smaller, and is made to slightly enlarge bead holes. It's like a very tiny round file. Sometimes imported beads, especially stone beads, have uneven holes or very tiny holes, and a little bit of reaming will turn an unusable bead into a usable one. Go gently, though, or you'll break the bead! Also good for smoothing a rough spot inside the bead...

I just bought some of those little metal "clips" that attach onto the end of your beading cord, to keep beads from falling off as you string. I think R&T also carries these....?

Very sharp scissors if you are working with silk cord!

I found one of those gray flocked "bead boards" was useful for laying out necklace designs. And I glued a tape measure to the edge of my work table. It helps measure out lengths of wire & cord quickly, and for checking necklace lengths.

A good table clamp lamp makes a world of difference.

Last, I bought a very tiny anvil from one of those dollar store tool bins, and I have an old ball peen hammer. I use this for work-hardening my jump rings. A few light taps stiffens the rings so they are less likely to pull apart. My work has an "ancient" aesthetic, so I don't worry about tool marks--it adds to the look! If you want a cleaner look, you can use those thick plastic tiles (one on the top, one on the bottom of the jump rings) to avoide tool marks.

Okay, probably more than you need to know, but now you can pick and chose what you can't live without! '<img

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hope this helps,
Luann