Are you interested in learning how to use jump rings in jewelry making? Jump rings are an essential tool, allowing you to connect chains, clasps, pendants, charms, and more. Whether you’re creating earrings, necklaces, or bracelets, knowing how to use jump rings will help you produce professionally finished pieces that are durable for everyday wear.
Curious about how to attach jump rings to jewelry? It’s simple. In this guide, we’ll cover everything from using jump rings in your projects to making them from scratch. But first, let’s dive into what jump rings are and why they’re so useful.
What Is a Jump Ring Used For?
If you’re new to jewelry making, you may not be familiar with jump rings yet. Rest assured, once you start working with them, they’ll become a staple in your toolkit. But what exactly is a jump ring, and why are they so widely used? Jump rings are small metal loops used to connect various jewelry components, such as clasps, pendants, or earring pieces. They’re an essential “finding” in jewelry making, helping you link different parts of your creations seamlessly.
Types of Jump Rings
When learning to use jump rings, it’s helpful to understand the different types available:
- Open Jump Rings: These have a small opening, allowing them to be easily opened with pliers for attaching components. They can then be soldered closed for added strength.
- Closed Jump Rings: These don’t have an opening and can be soldered directly onto jewelry pieces or threaded onto other components.
Jump rings come in various sizes, materials, and shapes, with circular jump rings being the most common. For a unique touch, you might also experiment with oval or other shapes.
Choosing the Right Jump Ring
Before getting started, choose the right jump ring for your design. Consider both the diameter (the size of the ring) and the thickness of the wire used to make it. Together, these measurements determine the jump ring’s strength, which is important if you’re making pieces for daily wear. As a general rule, the larger or heavier the piece, the stronger the jump ring should be.
How to Open a Jump Ring
Did you know there’s a proper way to open jump rings? Opening them incorrectly can weaken the ring, making it more prone to breaking. Here’s how to open a jump ring the right way:
- Take your jump ring and two pairs of flat-nose pliers.
- Grip one side of the ring with one pair of pliers, and hold the other side with the second pair.
- Gently twist the ring open by moving one side slightly forward and the other slightly back—avoid pulling it apart sideways, as this can distort the shape.
- Open it just enough to attach your component, as opening it too far may weaken the ring.
How to Close a Jump Ring
Once you’ve attached your component, follow these steps to close the jump ring securely:
- Use your two pairs of pliers to grip the sides of the jump ring.
- Twist the ring back together until the ends meet and slightly overlap.
- Twist until the ends sit flush for a neat, secure finish. This makes it easier if you decide to solder the ring closed later.
Pro Tip: When closing a jump ring, go slightly past the closed position, then bring it back to create a tighter closure.
How to Solder Jump Rings
For an even stronger hold, soldering the jump ring closed can be helpful. Follow these steps to solder your jump ring:
- First, make sure the jump rings are tightly closed.
- Solder it using a permanent jewelry welder.
- Then clean it in an acid cleaning solution.
How to Make Jump Rings
Ready to make your own jump rings? While you can buy quality pre-made jump rings, knowing how to make them is a useful skill, especially for custom designs.
- Take a mandrel of the desired diameter and your chosen wire.
- Wrap the wire around the mandrel, keeping each loop close to the previous one.
- Carefully slide the coiled wire from the mandrel and cut through each loop with a jewelry saw to create individual rings.
- Use a jeweler’s file to smooth the ends of each ring for a tight, flush fit when soldered.
Quick Tip: Want to speed up fabrication? Use the mandrel attachment on your drill or a jump ring maker to wind wire faster, then cut and file it flat.
Which Jump Rings to Use: Pre-Made or Handmade?
When working on a new project, you may wonder whether it’s best to make your own jump rings or buy pre-made ones. Many jewelers use both. Making your own allows for customization, especially if you work with unique metals. Pre-made jump rings, however, save time and are often available in various sizes, alloys, and decorative finishes, so you’re sure to find one that fits your design.
Stock up on jump rings and other essential jewelry findings to ensure you have everything you need for your next project!
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