For permanent jewelry artists, having clear visibility and reliable eye protection is essential. But when you’re working at pop-ups, weddings, or events, bulky equipment and cables can get in the way.
That’s where Sunstone Shades™ Wireless Darkening Glasses come in.
We unboxed and tested them to see how they perform in a real permanent jewelry setup and whether they’re worth adding to your professional toolkit.
What’s Inside the Box
The Sunstone Shades package includes the glasses, magnification attachment, charging cable, trigger dongle, nose mount options, and user manual.
The first impression is clear: these don’t look like traditional welding glasses. They’re designed to feel more like professional eyewear while still providing the protection needed for welding.
Inside the package, you receive:
- Sunstone Shades eyewear
- +3.5 magnification clip-on
- Nose mount options
- Charging cable
- Shades trigger dongle
- User manual
Charging the Auto-Darkening Lens
Before using the Shades, the auto-darkening lens needs to be charged. The Shades use a rechargeable battery, with Sunstone specifying up to 12 hours of continuous use on a full charge.
If you’re preparing for a full day of appointments or an event, charge the Shades beforehand. Starting with fully charged equipment is one simple way to avoid unnecessary interruptions during a busy day.
Include the charging Shades in your regular equipment-preparation routine.
Connect the Shades to Your Welder
This is where the Sunstone Shades become particularly interesting.
The glasses connect to the welding system so that the lens can automatically darken when welding is triggered.
The Shades are designed to connect wirelessly with compatible welding systems. They’re compatible with Sunstone welders and can also work with other permanent jewelry welders when paired with using the Sunstone Link- a universal adaptor.
The idea is to eliminate the traditional physical connection between your face and the welding station. No traditional lens cable connects your eyewear to your workstation. This can be especially useful for mobile artists who work at weddings, markets, pop-ups, and private events. A cleaner workstation can mean fewer cables to manage and fewer things to reposition between clients.
Auto-Darkening in Action
Now comes one of the most important parts of the review: testing the auto-darkening function. The lens automatically darkens when welding is activated, allowing the eyewear to remain in place throughout the process.
Sunstone states that the Shades use Shade 12 protection and that the darkening is triggered before the weld fires.
Instead of manually moving a traditional lens into position before every weld, the eyewear stays where you need it. This hands-free approach eliminates the need to repeatedly move a traditional lens into position, creating a more seamless workflow.
Adjustable Nose Piece & Fit
Comfort becomes especially important when welding throughout a busy day.
The adjustable nose piece allows the Shades to be positioned more comfortably while keeping the lens properly aligned with your line of sight.
For professionals, small ergonomic improvements can make a noticeable difference during long working sessions.
Final Thoughts & Wrap-Up
The Sunstone Shades™ aren’t simply about having a different welding lens. They’re designed around the way modern permanent jewelry artists work, especially those who are mobile and constantly moving between clients.
So, are Sunstone Shades™ worth it?
👍 Best for:
- Mobile permanent jewelry artists
- Wedding and event professionals
- Pop-up businesses
- Artists who want magnification
- Anyone looking for a more streamlined welding setup
🤔 Maybe not essential for:
- Artists who only weld occasionally
- Stationary studio setups
- Anyone already comfortable with their current welding lens
Watch the full unboxing and review to see the Shades in action 📹
💡Pro Tips!
The +3.5 Magnification: For permanent jewelry, this can make it easier to see tiny details such as
- Jump rings
- Fine chain
- Weld points
- Small connectors
Shop xTool Engravers
Shop Blanks
✨ At Stones and Findings, we provide everything from high-quality blanks to professional training, so you can confidently expand your skills and offer meaningful, personalized pieces to your clients.