Paulene Everett
Permanent Jewelry Product Manager
I am frequently asked by permanent jewelry artists how Sunstone and Orion permanent jewelry welders compare to other welders. Perhaps the bulk of the confusion is due to a wide price range, feature sets, and capabilities. After a great deal of research, my team and I were able to assemble a permanent jewelry welders comparison chart.
Chart Summary
To help PJ artists better understand the difference, the chart is divided into three categories of welders: Budget Welders, Beginner Welders, and Professional Welders. Budget welders—especially on the low end—fall into the "you get what you pay for" category. That said, I must say the Sunstone Zapp™ Permanent Jewelry Welder™ delivers more than what the price may suggest due to it's pedigree of reliability.
Beginner Welders provide an expanded feature set at a lower price. The Zapp Plus® Permanent Jewelry Welder™ represents a great value. The Zapp Plus is priced lower than its competitors yet provides a much more flexible platform. You can extend the stylus cord, add your preferred optics, or pair the welder with a stylus in a fun color.
The Orion mPulse® Permanent Jewelry Welder™ is the gold standard among welders. Simply put, no other welder comes close to offering the features and the technology found inside. The Orion mPulse comes standard with True-Fire Technology™ that makes welding easier with better results.
Perhaps the most important features to compare among all welders are the following:
- Stylus Cord Length. If you do anklets you know a longer cord makes light work.
- Extendable Stylus Cord. Closely related to the above, being able to add more length can solve a lot of problems.
- Optic Options. One size does not fit all. Optics (or the lack of optics) that work for one PJ artist may not work for you. Some PJ artists have eagle eyes and can weld without magnification. Others need the magnification. If you stick with a Zapp or Orion permanent jewelry welder you'll have those options.
- Safety Certifications. Safety is a HUGE topic but, unfortunately, overlooked too often. Here's why: With just one unfortunate incident, wherein a customer is injured by an unsafe welder, the permanent jewelry industry can be significantly damaged and demand will tank. Do yourself a favor, do a favor for all PJ artists, and make sure the welder you choose is certified. CE and NRTL certification for the ENTIRE welder is what you should look for.
- ISO Certification. You can trust a company with ISO certification to be constantly monitoring quality. ISO certification requires effort to get and requires regular compliance checks.
- Manufacture Information. The welder is the heart of your permanent jewelry business. You'll do well to make sure you choose a welder built by a company with many years of expertise in welding.
| BUDGET WELDERS | BEGINNER WELDERS | PROFESSIONAL WELDER | ||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
| Unbranded | Zapp™ | Helix™ | Everarc® | Zapp Plus® | Orion mPulse® | |
| Base Price | $495 USD | $995 USD | $1,499 USD | $1,499 USD | $1,299 USD | $2,700 USD |
| Power Range | est. 5-60 Joules | 3-10 Joules | 1-30 Joules | 0.5-16 Joules* | 1-30 Joules | 1-30 Joules |
| Energy Control | Membrane Buttons Using Percentage Based Increments |
Energy Dial In Single Joule Increments |
Membrane Buttons In Single Joule Increments |
Membrane Buttons In Half Joule Increments |
Energy Dial In Single Joule Increments |
Digital Touchscreen In Half Joule Increments Up to 15 Joulres |
| Stylus Type | 7.5” Standard Stylus | 7.5” Standard Stylus | 6.875” Stylus | 6.5” Stylus | 6” Advanced Orion Stylus | 6” Advanced Orion Stylus |
| Stylus Cord Length | 42” | 42” | 45” | 63” | 72” | 72” |
| Electrode Type | Tungsten | Orion Premium Tungsten | Tungsten | Tungsten | Orion Premium Tungsten | Orion Premium Tungsten |
| Argon Ready | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Optic Options | • Stylus Holder | • None • Stylus Holder • Basic ADL • Upgraded Clear ADL • PJ Scope™ • 5x Microscope Arm |
• Stylus Holder • ADL |
• Stylus Holder • Stylus-Mounted ADL |
• Stylus Holder • Basic ADL • Upgraded Clear ADL • PJ Scope™ • 5x Microscope Arm |
• Basic ADL • Upgraded Clear ADL • PJ Scope™ • 5x Microscope Arm |
| True-Fire Technology™ | No | No | No | No | No | Yes |
| Upgradeable Software | No | No | No | No | No | Yes |
| Extendable Stylus Cord | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Stylus Color Options | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Safety Certifications | Suspect | CE, NRTL (Pending) | CE (Power Supply Only) | CE (Power Supply Only) | CE, NRTL (Pending) | CE, NRTL (ETL, CSA) |
| Warranty | Varies | 3 Years | 3 Years | 3 Years | 3 Years | 3 Years |
| Extended Service Plans | No | Yes “Forever” Warranty and VIP Service with Sunstone Circle Plan |
No | No | Yes “Forever” Warranty and VIP Service with Sunstone Circle Plan |
Yes “Forever” Warranty and VIP Service with Sunstone Circle Plan |
| Introduction Date | Uncertain | August 2023 | October 2023 | April 2024 | November 2023 | Introduced September 2016 Redesigned June 2024 |
| ISO Certification | ISO 9001:2015 | ISO 9001:2015 | ISO 9001:2015 | |||
| Manufacturer Info | Various | Sunstone® Welders Designing and Building Welders for Nearly 20 Years! |
Pepetools® No Previous Welder Design nor Welding Manufacturing Experience |
Everlinx No Previous Welder Design nor Manufacturing Experience |
Sunstone® Welders Designing and Building Welders for Nearly 20 Years! |
Sunstone® Welders Designing and Building Welders for Nearly 20 Years! |
| Links | Learn More About the Zapp | Learn More About the Zapp Plus | Learn More About the Orion mPulse | |||
*Everarc power range is an estimate based upon an evaluation conducted by Sunstone Engineering LLC. Data current as of July 2024 and is subject to change. This article was updated August 1, 2024
You can download the Permanent Jewelry Welders Comparison Chart here.
The comparison chart should help you better understand the differences. If you have lingering questions then text or call us. Sunstone Permanent Jewelry offers three different permanent jewelry welders. We can help you choose the one that best fits your unique circumstances.
Text or call us at +1 385-999-5240.
Sunstone, Orion, Orion mPulse, and Zapp Plus are registered trademarks of Sunstone Engineering LLC. Zapp, True-Fire Technology, Permanent Jewelry Welder, and PJ Scope are trademarks of Sunstone Engineering LLC. Everarc is a registered trademark and Helix is a trademark of their respective manufacturers.