Looking for jump rings for jewelry making? Excellent choice! Jump rings are perhaps the most popular connecter used by jewelry makers. And since they come in all materials like gold, silver, base metal, brass, silver plated, and color coated, they suit any type of jewelry. Plus they come in different sizes- from 2 mm to 10 mm and even higher. Jump rings and split rings are very affordable and handy in connecting jewelry pieces.
Jump rings can attach dangles to each other, or a clasp to a chain. They can alter the way a charm hangs, and lengthen a finishing. Also, if you are fond of chain maille, you can use jump rings and make a bracelet, an entire necklace, shirt, vest – anything, really.
Numerous jewelry pieces begin and end with jump rings. Which other finding can do this much?
However, using a jump ring the wrong way can lead to misery. Who hasn’t misplaced charms from bracelets or had a necklace fall off?
Difference between Open Jump Rings, Closed Rings, and Split Rings
Open Jump Rings
An open jump ring is basically a metal loop that has a cut. The cut lets jewelry-makers open the ring. You can make your jump rings extra secure by using a heavy gauge or soldering the opening closed.
Closed Jump Rings
Closed jump rings are open jump rings that have been soldered closed. This can help in connecting jewelry components without any need for soldering.
For permanent jewelry pieces like necklace pendants and earrings, soldered jump rings make the best choice.
Split Rings
Split Rings resemble small keychain rings. The best use of split rings is in charms bracelets for attaching charms, or in securing jewelry pieces that can be interchanged.
Tips on Using Jump Rings
- Choose the right size for your project: While choosing a jump ring, make sure you keep their size and function in mind. For example, if you want to attach a link chain of 2mm to a lobster claw clasp, a jump ring of 4 mm outer diameter would be perfect here, so you don’t need a heavyweight jump ring.
For attaching a charm and a chain, you can use jump rings with outer diameter 5mm or more and 20 gauge or heavier. Also, doubling up on jump rings can be a good idea for extra security. For a different look, use oval jump rings for attaching a chain and a charm.
If you love making chain maille, take note of whether the measurement provide is for the outer diameter (OD) or inner diameter (ID). For chain maille, rings are chosen by the inner diameter and gauge of wire.
- Get creative: Jump rings are available in several different shapes and colors. These can be the design elements of your jewelry projects. Try them out in square, oval, round, heart, or rectangular shapes. You can also check out copper enameled jump rings.
- Close and open jump rings properly: Be careful and never unroll jump rings. You can’t get them back into their original shape after that. Also take care never to open a jump ring too far.
- Cover jaws of pliers with painting tape or masking, so as to avoid marring the surface of the jump rings.
- Store jewelry carefully: Make sure your delicate chains do not get tangled. Don’t place your charm bracelets inside a bowl (or throw your jewelry in your gym bag at the bottom in a zip lock!).