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Jump Rings and Split Rings for Your Jewelry
This guide will illustrate the difference between jump rings and split rings, suggest their proper uses, and instruct you in how to properly use them.
Jump Rings
Jump rings are the most common connector for jewelry making. They are made from many types of metals and range in size from 2mm and up.
The jump ring is a metal loop with a cut. The cut allows a jewelry-maker to use the ring, but a finished piece of jewelry should have a soldered cut so the ring is completely closed and secure.
Soldered jump rings are best for permanent pieces of jewelry like earrings and necklace pendants.
Adjusting a Jump Ring
Never pull jump ring halves straight apart from each other because it will stress the metal and can cause breakage.
To adjust or open a jump ring, use a pair or tweezers or needlenose pliers. Hold one side of the ring between your thumb and index finger. Then, use the tweezers or pliers to hold the other side of the ring and slowly twist that side open just enough to complete your task.
After you are finished, slowly twist the sides of the jump ring back into place with the tweezers or pliers so the ends meet once again.
The correct way to open a jump ring.
To adjust or open a jump ring, use a pair or tweezers or needlenose pliers. Hold one side of the ring between your thumb and index finger. Then, use the tweezers or pliers to hold the other side of the ring and slowly twist that side open just enough to complete your task.
After you are finished, slowly twist the sides of the jump ring back into place with the tweezers or pliers so the ends meet once again.
The correct way to open a jump ring.
Split Rings
Split rings are best used to attach charms to charm bracelets, or to secure other pieces of interchangeable jewelry.
Using a Split Ring
The easiest way to use a split ring is to wedge your thumbnail between the split and slide a charm (or other jewelry piece) onto the ring. Make sure the piece you are sliding goes all the way around the ring until it is completely safe inside and cannot work itself loose.
If your thumbnail is not long enough, or it is painful to use, you may use a pair of split ring tweezers or split ring pliers. These special tweezers and pliers feature what looks like a bent tip to wedge between the ring split.
Jewelry to Last a Lifetime
If your thumbnail is not long enough, or it is painful to use, you may use a pair of split ring tweezers or split ring pliers. These special tweezers and pliers feature what looks like a bent tip to wedge between the ring split.
Jewelry to Last a Lifetime
Choosing the proper connectors for your jewelry and using them properly will ensure you do not lose your precious pieces and that you can enjoy them for years to come!
Guide created: 12/29/07 (updated 10/08/09)
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