Sunstone Welders Review By a Fellow Permanent Jewelry Artist

Buying a Sunstone permanent jewelry welder is one of those moments when a business idea suddenly starts feeling real. The machine may fit on a small table, but choosing one means placing thousands of dollars and your future customer experience in the hands of a company you may barely know.

I have worked as a permanent jewelry artist since 2023 and helped more than 1,000 aspiring artists get started with Sunstone. That experience has given me a close view of the questions, excitement, and hesitation that come with making this investment.

I am also an official Sunstone dealer and affiliate, so you deserve to know about that relationship before reading my opinion. My reputation follows every recommendation I make, which gives me a strong reason to pay attention to what happens long after someone places an order.

This review looks beyond the polished product pages to explore what building a permanent jewelry business with Sunstone can actually look like. By the end, you should have a clearer sense of where your money goes, which option fits your plans, and if Sunstone is the company you want standing behind your business.

Sunstone Permanent Jewelry as a Company

Before looking at the products themselves, it helps to understand the company behind them. This section covers a little of Sunstone’s history, my experience with the company, what it offers permanent jewelry artists, and the support and warranty protection buyers can expect.

The History of Sunstone That Matters

Sunstone Engineering was founded by an aerospace engineer in 2007, long before permanent jewelry became a popular business opportunity. The company spent years developing pulse arc and laser welding systems for professional jewelry and other demanding applications before entering the permanent jewelry industry in 2018. Its current machines grew from an established engineering foundation rather than being created simply to enter a new market.

That history has given Sunstone nearly two decades to gather feedback, improve multiple generations of equipment, develop ISO-certified quality processes, and observe how its machines perform through repeated professional use. Product features can be recreated fairly quickly, but years of testing, customer experience, and engineering improvements cannot. That background provides reassurance that is difficult to measure through a specification list alone.

Sunstone has also poured resources into the permanent jewelry industry as a whole. The company founded the Permanent Jewelry Expo in 2023 to bring artists, educators, suppliers, and business owners together for training, networking, and industry growth. In 2027, PJX is expanding into smaller hands-on training events throughout the year and an annual Las Vegas marketplace. From everything I have seen, Sunstone is the only welder manufacturer investing in this community on such a large scale, which tells me the company intends to remain part of the industry’s future.

My experience with Sunstone

I started offering permanent jewelry in the summer of 2023 after more than a decade of running online businesses. My first welder was a cheap, unbranded machine that ended up giving me electrical shocks and stopped working well before I was ready to buy a new machine. That experience showed me how important dependable equipment becomes when you are working with paying customers and relying on your machine at events.

Sunstone offered a completely different experience. Its welders felt like professional equipment backed by an established company, accessible training, technical help, replacement parts, and warranty protection. My original permanent jewelry training came from outside Sunstone, but I later joined Sunstone’s training and more recently became an official dealer, giving me the opportunity to evaluate the company from the perspectives of an artist, customer, and business owner.

Since then, I have helped more than 1,000 aspiring artists get started with Sunstone equipment. I have answered questions about machines, starter kits, weld settings, tools, supplies, and the nerves that come with serving a first customer. That experience has made me confident recommending Sunstone as a company, although I do not believe every artist needs its most expensive welder. The best choice still depends on your budget, expected workload, and long-term business plans.

An Overview of What Sunstone Offers Permanent Jewelry Artists

Sunstone Engineering gives permanent jewelry artists one place to find professional welders, starter kits, hand tools, chain, safety equipment, replacement parts, and other supplies needed to start or grow a business. Artists can purchase a welder by itself, build a setup from individual products, or choose a more complete kit that includes equipment, materials, training, and personal guidance.

Customer support is also an important part of what Sunstone offers. Its US-based team can help artists troubleshoot technical and welding problems by phone or text, and it can arrange a repair when an issue cannot be resolved remotely. Artists who purchase a Sunstone starter kit also receive one-on-one business mentorship, giving them personal guidance as they begin building their businesses. This gives buyers somewhere to turn for help with both their equipment and the practical questions that arise after the excitement of opening the box wears off.

Sunstone currently backs its primary professional permanent jewelry welders with a three-year manufacturer’s warranty, although coverage can vary by product and does not extend to every consumable item or accessory. I consider that warranty and accessible support especially valuable for artists who plan to depend on their welders for pop-ups, appointments, and other paid events.

Sunstone Welders, Starter Kits, and Training Review

I have already written in-depth reviews of Sunstone’s individual machines for artists who want to explore every feature and detail. Here, you will get a clear overview of each welder, starter kit, and training option so you can quickly identify the one that best fits your budget, experience, and business plans.

Zapp Plus 2 Welder and Dream Kit

The Zapp Plus® 2 is Sunstone’s strongest middle-ground option and the machine I would recommend to many new permanent jewelry artists. It provides professional power and reliability without the higher price or advanced controls of the Orion mPulse 2.0.

The machine offers 30 energy settings from 1 to 30 joules, controlled through a digital dial with a lockable setting. It weighs only 1.9 pounds and includes a removable 72-inch Orion stylus, making it convenient for pop-ups and mobile appointments. The Zapp Plus 2 is also argon-ready, made in the United States, supported by a US-based team, and protected by a three-year manufacturer’s warranty.

Artists can purchase the welder alone or choose the Zapp Plus® 2 Dream Starter Kit for a more complete setup. The kit currently includes the following:

• The Zapp Plus 2, 72-inch Orion stylus, two Argon Mini tanks, and a regulator
• Precision pliers, a chain cutter, a Pilot electrode sharpener, practice chain, safety glasses, a leather safety patch, and jewelry cleaner
• Twenty-seven feet of premium gold-filled and sterling silver chain, jump rings for approximately 100 bracelets, connectors, and a display case
• Sunstone Permanent Jewelry University with 40 video lessons and one-on-one mentoring for practice, troubleshooting, and launch preparation

An established artist who already owns tools and inventory may only need the welder. For someone beginning from scratch, the Zapp Plus® 2 Dream Starter Kit removes much of the uncertainty and provides a practical path from learning the machine to serving paying customers.

Related: Zapp Plus® 2 Permanent Jewelry Welder Review

Orion mPulse 2.0 and Legacy Kit

The Orion mPulse® 2.0 is Sunstone’s premium option for artists who want greater precision, more advanced controls, and a machine designed to handle a busy schedule. It may offer more than a beginner needs, but its added control can be valuable when working with delicate chain, small jump rings, and a higher volume of customers.

The mPulse 2.0 offers a 1 to 30 joule power range, with precise half-joule adjustments between 1 and 15 joules. It includes Tru-Fire Technology to reduce misfires, an advanced touchscreen, a removable 72-inch stylus, and three front-facing ground ports. Artists can position the machine horizontally or vertically, and its built-in power converter keeps the setup compact. The software can also be updated as Sunstone releases improvements. Like the Zapp Plus 2, it is made in the United States and backed by US-based support and a three-year manufacturer’s warranty.

Artists can purchase the mPulse 2.0 alone or choose the Orion mPulse® 2.0 Legacy Starter Kit for Sunstone’s largest and most complete startup package. The kit currently includes the following:

• The Orion mPulse 2.0, 72-inch stylus, four Argon Mini tanks, and an argon regulator
• Precision pliers, a chain cutter, a Pilot electrode sharpener, practice chain, safety glasses, a leather safety patch, and jewelry cleaner
• Forty-five feet of premium gold and silver chain, jump rings for approximately 200 bracelets, connectors, and a display case
• Sunstone Permanent Jewelry University with 40 video lessons and one-on-one mentoring for setup, welding practice, troubleshooting, and launch preparation

The Dream Kit will provide plenty of equipment and inventory for many beginners. The Orion mPulse® 2.0 Legacy Starter Kit makes more sense for an artist who expects higher sales volume, wants Sunstone’s most advanced permanent jewelry welder from the beginning, or prefers to start with a larger chain selection and more supplies.

Related: Orion mPulse® 2.0: Why It’s the Top Permanent Jewelry Welder

Are Sunstone Kits Worth It

For a new artist who needs a complete permanent jewelry setup, my answer is a resounding yes. Sunstone currently prices the Dream and Legacy Kits below the combined retail value of the products inside them, so purchasing the same equipment, tools, inventory, training, and support separately would cost more.

Kit	Current price	Listed separate value	Difference
Zapp Plus® 2 Dream Starter Kit	$3,199	$4,265.33	$1,066.33
Orion mPulse® 2.0 Legacy Starter Kit	$4,999	$5,951.19	$952.19

These prices also include professional training and one-on-one mentorship, which can help a new artist learn the equipment, correct welding problems, and prepare to serve customers with more confidence.

The included chain makes the value even easier to see. The Dream Kit comes with 27 feet of chain, which could produce approximately 46 seven-inch bracelets before accounting for sizing differences or material waste. At $75 per bracelet, those pieces could generate about $3,450 in gross sales, enough to potentially recover the kit’s $3,199 purchase price.

The Legacy Kit includes 45 feet of chain, enough for approximately 77 seven-inch bracelets before waste. At the same $75 price, that inventory could generate roughly $5,775 in gross sales compared with the kit’s $4,999 purchase price. The kits also include separate practice chain, so artists do not have to learn using the premium inventory intended for customers.

Those figures represent possible gross revenue rather than guaranteed profit. Bracelet lengths, pricing, practice needs, event costs, card fees, taxes, and unused materials will affect the final result. Still, the larger point remains strong. After the included chain has been sold, you continue to own the welder, tools, training, and knowledge needed to keep serving customers. For someone starting from scratch, purchasing a Sunstone kit makes far more financial and practical sense than trying to piece together the same setup separately.

Is Sunstone Right for Your Permanent Jewelry Business?

Sunstone offers professional equipment and strong support, but the best choice still depends on the business you want to build and the investment you are prepared to make. This section weighs the advantages, drawbacks, realistic payback potential, and leading alternatives to help you decide if Sunstone fits your plans.

The Advantages of Choosing Sunstone

The main advantages of choosing Sunstone can be summarized fairly simply.

• Professional equipment Sunstone’s permanent jewelry welders are designed by micro-welding engineers, manufactured in the United States, and created for artists who plan to work with paying customers.
• Dependable performance Both the Zapp Plus® 2 and Orion mPulse® 2.0 provide controlled power adjustments for welding fine chain and jump rings. The mPulse adds greater precision and Tru-Fire Technology for artists who want fewer misfires and more consistent results.
• US-based customer support Artists can contact people who understand the equipment when they need help troubleshooting a weld or resolving a technical issue.
• Training and personal mentorship Sunstone kit buyers receive structured video training and one-on-one guidance, which can be especially valuable during the practice and launch stages.
• Three-year warranty protection Sunstone backs its primary permanent jewelry welders with a three-year manufacturer’s warranty, giving business owners added protection for an essential piece of equipment.
• Room for business growth A beginner can learn on the Zapp Plus 2 and continue using the same machine as bookings increase. Artists with high-volume goals can begin with the mPulse 2.0 and avoid replacing an entry-level machine later.
• Complete starter options The kits combine the welder, tools, inventory, training, and support in one purchase, reducing the chance of overlooking something important or spending more by purchasing every item separately.

Potential Drawbacks to Consider

Most concerns surrounding Sunstone come from misunderstanding what it takes to enter the permanent jewelry industry professionally rather than a problem with the company itself. Sunstone can provide dependable equipment, training, supplies, and support, but every new business still requires practice, planning, ongoing expenses, and customers.

• The upfront investment can feel high Professional welders and complete starter kits cost more than inexpensive unbranded machines. That price reflects the equipment quality, warranty, training, and support, but it may still be too much for someone who only wants to experiment with permanent jewelry as a hobby.
• Some beginners may purchase more machine than they need The Orion mPulse 2.0 has advanced features that a casual or lower-volume artist may rarely use. The Zapp Plus® 2 can provide a more practical starting point without sacrificing professional quality.
• A quality welder still requires practice Buying professional equipment does not immediately create perfect welds. Artists need time to understand power settings, position jump rings correctly, test their work, and become comfortable serving customers.
• A starter kit does not cover every business expense Artists may still need event fees, liability insurance, permits, a payment system, marketing materials, tables, chairs, displays, a canopy, or a portable power station. The exact permanent jewelry setup will depend on where and how the business operates.
• Supplies become an ongoing expense Chain, jump rings, connectors, argon, electrodes, and packaging need to be replenished as the business grows. A kit provides initial inventory, but future sales require careful inventory management and continued purchasing.

My Final Sunstone Review

I have never viewed the company supplying my welder and chain as a place to make one purchase and forget. These products sit at the center of my business, so I want to know the people behind them, trust how they operate, and feel comfortable returning as my needs grow or change.

With Sunstone, I can truly say that I have built that kind of relationship. Every time I recommend a machine or refer an aspiring artist, my name is attached to that recommendation. I need to feel confident that the person I send will receive the same patience, guidance, and dependable help that I have received. Sunstone has given me that confidence.

A permanent jewelry business can begin with one welder and a few chains, but it may eventually grow into busy events, private bookings, employees, or a full studio. Having a supplier you already trust makes each new stage feel easier to navigate. You know where to find equipment, inventory, answers, and people who understand the industry you are building within.

That relationship is ultimately the strongest part of my Sunstone review. I trust the company with my own business, and I trust its team to take care of the artists and customers I send their way. When you are choosing equipment that could support your income for years, the company standing behind it matters every bit as much as the machine inside the box.