Explore our full selection of burs to find the exact shape, size, and material you need to bring your designs to life.
When it comes to bench work, burs are some of the most essential tools in your kit. From shaping prongs to carving wax, every bur has a purpose — and when you choose the right one, your bench work becomes faster, cleaner, and more precise. But with so many shapes, sizes, and materials available, choosing the right bur for the task may be overwhelming.
That’s why we’ve created this bur buying guide — to give you a clear overview of bur applications, materials, shapes, and sizes so you can select the best options for your bench.
Common Bur Applications
From carving wax to setting stones, each type of bur is designed with a specific task in mind. Let’s explore the most common bur applications and how they can elevate your everyday benchwork.
Cutting burs are designed to efficiently remove metal, making them indispensable for shaping and roughing out designs. They allow jewelers to create precise openings or adjust pieces quickly without sacrificing accuracy.
Filing and shaping burs refine details by smoothing metal surfaces and edges. Ideal for finishing touches, they help jewelers maintain clean lines and consistent contours when setting stones or finishing delicate metalwork.
Multifunctional burs combine cutting, shaping, and detailing functions, offering jewelers versatility in a single tool. These are especially useful for those who need efficiency and adaptability at the bench.
Prong and wire shaping burs specialize in refining small components. They round wire ends, shape prong tips, and prepare delicate details to securely hold stones while keeping the finish neat.
Stone setting burs are engineered to cut seats and create secure, accurate placements for stones. They allow you to refine bezels, prongs, and channels with precision, ensuring both beauty and durability in every piece.
Undercutting burs excel at extending channel walls and defining crisp edges. They provide control when refining intricate areas where accuracy matters most.
Wax working burs are specialized for carving and refining wax models, giving jewelers freedom to experiment with custom shapes before casting. They help bring design visions to life in the earliest stages.
Why Bur Material Matters
Not all burs are created equal. The material of a bur determines its durability, sharpness, and how it performs under pressure. Whether you need long-lasting precision, heat resistance, or versatility across metals and wax, choosing the right bur material can make all the difference in your workflow.
Diamond-Coated Stainless Steel
These grinding burs are electroplated with diamond particles onto stainless steel. They work by grinding away material and are excellent for carving glass, stone, ceramic, and metal.
High-Speed Steel
These burs maintain hardness at high speeds and they are known for their durability. They are able to withstand heat buildup under the most extreme conditions.
Tungsten Carbide Steel
These burs maintain sharp edges and are known to be the longest lasting.
Tungsten Vanadium Steel
These burs are perfect for precise cutting and are made of the finest quality hardened tool steel. They can be operated at low speeds.
Zirconia
Known for their strength and durability, zirconia burs don't produce heat over 122 degrees Fahrenheit — this lower heat keeps your resin and wax models from getting damaged.
Why Bur Shape Matters
Bur shapes are where creativity meets function. Each profile is engineered to solve specific challenges — from creating seats for gemstones to refining channels or smoothing prongs. Here’s a closer look at the most popular shapes and how they work for you.
Note: It is important to use lubrication with all burs.
Bud Bur
Cone Bur
Cup Bur
This bur with flutes inside its cup-shaped head is commonly used for rounding wire ends, shaping prong tips, and creating domed rivet heads. It is very important to use lubrication when using a cup bur. Another option in cup burs is the twin-cut style that features two cutting edges that are parallel to each other, allowing for symmetrical cuts.
Cylinder Bur
The cylinder bur with its straight sides is perfect for removing significant amounts of material. Large sized cylinder burs are mainly utilized for shaping and grinding the interiors of ring shanks. Another option in cylinder burs is the cross-cut style that features teeth instead of the fluted cutting surfaces.
Hart Bur
Knife-Edge Bur
This bur features a taper that sharpens into a knife-like edge around its circumference. It is equipped with cutting flutes on both the top and bottom surfaces, making it ideal for precise grinding in hard-to-reach places such as prong seats. Additionally, it can be used to remove material from flat surfaces and to create scoring lines.
Krause Bur
Pavé Cut Bur
The pavé cut bur consolidates two work steps into one: predrilling with a twist drill and shaping or enlarging with a round bur. This saves time, increases precision, and optimizes the result. Enjoy the impressive cutting performance while experiencing a long service life. These can cut platinum, white gold, titanium, or steel.
Round Bur
Setting Bur
Wheel Bur
Why Bur Size Matters
Precision is everything in jewelry creation and repair, and selecting the right bur size is essential for achieving it. The correct bur size ensures gemstones sit securely in their settings, creates clean cuts and smooth seats, and preserves the integrity of prongs, channels, and bezels. Using a bur that’s too small or too large can compromise stone security, damage metal, or require extra polishing, impacting both the efficiency and quality of your work.
Working with the right bur size also saves time at the bench, allowing you to complete tasks with accuracy and confidence the first time. From delicate melee stones to larger gems, having the perfect size bur ensures professional results every time. We offer a wide range of sizes so you can always select the ideal bur for the job.
Master Your Craft with the Right Bur
Every piece of jewelry you create or repair reflects your skill, precision, and creativity. The right bur — perfectly matched in shape, size, and material — transforms your tools from simple implements into extensions of your craftsmanship. With the ideal bur in hand, you can carve, shape, set, and refine with confidence, achieving results that are both beautiful and technically flawless.
Stuller’s extensive selection of burs empowers you to explore new techniques, tackle intricate designs, and bring your vision to life without compromise. When you choose the right bur for every task, your bench work becomes faster and more enjoyable — giving you the freedom to focus on what matters most: creating exceptional jewelry that stands out.
To learn about the Stuller Bur® we’ve created in-house, check out our past blogs: Introducing: New Additions of The Stuller Bur and Three Facts About The Stuller Bur..