Zapp® Permanent Jewelry Welder™ for Beginners

The Sunstone Zapp™ Is the Smartest Way to Start Your Permanent Jewelry Business

Purpose-built for beginners, backed by three years of warranty, and ready to make you money from your very first pop-up.

The Sunstone Zapp™ Permanent Jewelry Welder was designed from the ground up for one thing: giving new permanent jewelry artists a reliable, safe, and affordable way to launch their business. At $1,199, it's the only entry-level pulse arc welder on the market that was purpose-built specifically for permanent jewelry — not adapted, not modified, not repurposed. Built in the USA. Backed by a 3-year manufacturer's warranty. And sold here at The Maker's Chest with our 75-day return policy and dual-line expert support.

If you've been researching where to start, you can stop. The Zapp is it.

Why the Zapp™ — Not a Cheaper Knockoff

There are cheaper welders on the market. Most of them will give you accidental shocks, inconsistent welds, and a modified stylus that was never meant to work with fine jewelry chain. The Zapp was built to avoid all of that.

• No unintentional shocks. The Zapp's circuit design eliminates the unwanted electrical jolts that plague generic low-cost welders.
• No stylus hacks. You'll never need to modify or wrap your stylus just to use it safely on a customer's wrist.
• Consistent, repeatable welds. The Zapp uses Sunstone's high-quality tungsten electrodes, engineered specifically for clean, strong pulse arc welds on fine chain.

This is what a welder that was actually designed for permanent jewelry feels like.

The Right Amount of Power — Right Out of the Box

The Zapp gives you a 3–10 Joule energy range in single-Joule increments — which is exactly the range you need for closing the most popular fine chain styles, including delicate box chain, cable chain, and curb chain, on bracelets and anklets.

You dial in your energy level, press the stylus to the joint, and the Zapp does the rest. It's that straightforward.

The Zapp is also argon-ready, meaning you can connect it to any argon source (like the Sunstone Argon Mini) in seconds for cleaner, stronger welds with virtually no oxidation. Argon shielding is especially helpful on gold and sterling silver chain, where a clean, polished weld keeps your customers coming back.

What's in the Box

Everything you need to weld on day one:

• Sunstone Zapp™ Permanent Jewelry Welder
• Welding Stylus
• (3) 1mm Tungsten Electrodes
• Precision Ground Clip
• 7" Argon Tubing (argon-ready, tank sold separately)
• Shaded Safety Glasses
• Metal Welding Practice Card
• Power Adapter & Power Cord
• Zapp User Manual & Data Sheet

Made in the USA. Warrantied for 3 Years.

The Zapp is manufactured in the United States by Sunstone Engineering — an ISO 9001–certified company with over 20 years of precision micro welding experience. Every Zapp ships with a 3-year manufacturer's warranty, so you're covered long after your first bracelet.

This isn't a gray-market machine shipped from overseas with no support. It's a real piece of American-made equipment, sold through licensed resellers who stand behind it.

Why Buy from The Maker's Chest?

We're an authorized Sunstone reseller — but we're more than just a place to buy the machine. Here's what you get when you order from The Maker's Chest:

• 75-day returns. More than twice the industry standard. Buy with confidence.
• Expert USA-based technical support. Our team knows these machines. When you have a question about your first weld or your fiftieth, we're here.
• Dual lines of support. Reach us directly and tap into Sunstone's manufacturer support — two layers of help, not one.
• A community of makers. We serve hobbyists, small business owners, and institutions. You're in good company.

Buying direct from a manufacturer sounds convenient — until you have a question at 9pm the night before your first market. We're the people who pick up.

Should You Upgrade to the Zapp Plus™?

The Zapp Plus™ is $500 more — and it adds meaningful capabilities as your business grows:

Start with the Zapp if: you're just launching, working farmers markets or home parties, and want to keep startup costs low while you build your client base.

Upgrade to the Zapp Plus if: you plan to scale quickly, work with a wider variety of chain gauges, or want a more ergonomic setup from day one.

Either way, you're starting with equipment that was built specifically for this craft.

How Permanent Jewelry Works — The 6-Step Process

You don't need a jewelry background to do this. Here's the full process:

1. Measure the Chain — Wrap the chain around your customer's wrist or ankle. Find the right fit — not too tight, not too loose — and mark the link to cut.

2. Cut the Link — Use your chain-cutting pliers to cut one side of the marked link only. Do not cut the full link in half.

3. Prep the Link — Use two chain pliers to gently open the cut link, thread it through the opposite uncut link, and close the ends back together.

4. Protect Your Customer — Place the protective leather patch between the chain and their skin. Have them hold still and look away during the weld.

5. Weld It Closed — Set your power level (3 Joules is a great starting point). Apply pressure with chain pliers to bring the link ends together, then touch the joint to the electrode. The Zapp fires a precise pulse arc weld in a fraction of a second.

6. Polish the Weld — Use the included fiberglass brush to remove any oxidation and reveal a clean, professional-looking weld.

That's it. Practice a few times on the included metal welding card, and you'll be ready for your first customer.

Permanent Jewelry: A Real Business Opportunity

The permanent jewelry market has grown dramatically over the past several years, and it shows no signs of slowing. Bracelets, anklets, and necklaces sold without a clasp — worn 24/7 — are a compelling offer for customers who want something meaningful and lasting.

Here's a quick look at the numbers:

• Most artists invest roughly $4,000 total to get fully set up (welder, chain, tools, supplies)
• At $40 per bracelet or anklet, you break even after selling approximately 100 pieces
• At a busy market or home party, experienced artists can close 10 pieces in 2–3 hours

At that pace, you could break even in 10 events. Many artists are doing it faster.

The Zapp is the right tool to start that journey — affordable enough to get in the game, reliable enough to build on.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Sunstone Zapp™ a good welder for a complete beginner? Yes — the Zapp was specifically designed with beginners in mind. Its 3–10 Joule range covers the most common chain types, and the single-Joule increment control makes it easy to dial in the right setting without guesswork. The included practice card lets you build confidence before working on a customer.

What is a pulse arc welder, and why does it matter for permanent jewelry? A pulse arc welder uses a precise electrical pulse to fuse two metal surfaces together — without heat buildup that could burn your customer's skin. This is the technology that makes permanent jewelry safe and practical. The Zapp uses this same pulse arc method, unlike heat-based soldering or cheap knock-off welders that carry higher safety risks.

Will I get shocked using the Zapp? No. The Zapp's electrical circuit was engineered to prevent the accidental shocks that are a known issue with many generic low-cost welders. You don't need to modify the stylus or add insulation tape to use it safely.

What chain types work with the Zapp? The Zapp's 3–10 Joule range covers most fine chain styles commonly used in permanent jewelry, including cable chain, box chain, curb chain, and satellite chain in gold-filled, sterling silver, and gold. Heavier chain styles may require the Zapp Plus (1–30 Joules).

Do I need argon gas to use the Zapp? No — the Zapp works without argon. However, connecting an argon source gives you noticeably cleaner, stronger welds with less oxidation, which is especially visible on gold and silver chain. We recommend starting without and adding argon once you're comfortable.

What's the difference between the Zapp™ and the Zapp Plus™? The Zapp Plus offers a wider power range (1–30 Joules vs. 3–10), a premium Orion stylus, an extended stylus cord, faster electrode sharpening, and better bundling options. If you plan to scale your business or work with heavier chain, the Zapp Plus is worth the $500 upgrade. If you're just starting out and want to keep costs low, the Zapp is the right call.

What's your return policy? We offer a 75-day return window — significantly longer than most retailers. If the Zapp isn't the right fit, reach out to our support team and we'll make it right.

Can I get help setting up my Zapp after I receive it? Absolutely. Our USA-based expert team is available to help you troubleshoot, calibrate, and get your first welds dialed in. You also have access to Sunstone's manufacturer support as a second resource — dual lines of support so you're never left stuck.

Is the Zapp available with a protection plan? Yes. The Zapp qualifies for Sunstone's extended protection program (Sunstone Circle), which is available at checkout for added peace of mind beyond the standard 3-year warranty.

Is the Zapp the same machine sold on Amazon or other marketplaces? The Zapp is sold through authorized Sunstone resellers. When you buy from The Maker's Chest, you get the full manufacturer's warranty, our 75-day return policy, and hands-on expert support — none of which are guaranteed through third-party marketplace listings.