Question:
There are times in my jewelry making that I have to use a split ring to attach either the clasp or a drop. When ever possible I use a pin (for the drop), but there are still times that I need to use the split ring. My problem is that once you've opened it and attached it, how do you make sure that it doesn't open up again. I've had necklaces brought back because the drop has come off or the closure has come apart. Is there a way to close it and make sure that it won't open enough for the string to slip through?

Answer:
I believe that you are actually asking a question about jump rings. A split ring is more like the ring on a key chain that is overlapped. Usually split rings stay together pretty well. But they are not very pretty.

There are a couple of tricks that Kay uses when working with jump rings that will help to alleviate the problem that you are having. There is a concept called work hardening. What this means is that when you move metal back and forth, it actually gets harder. Kay always used her fingers with the jump rings and moves them sideways back and forth a couple of times as she is closing them. It is important that you do not pull the two ends of a jump ring directly apart from each other. When you open a jump ring, always twist it sideways.

The second trick is to close the ends past each other and then gently pull them open and twist them just enough to close. In other words, when you have the ends twisted slightly past where they would line up with each other, push them towards and past each other slightly. This will cause them to want to spring closed tighter as you gently pull them open and twist them to line up and close. The extra tension that you cause in the metal when you push the ends past each other and gently pull them back to close, causes the jump ring closed tighter.

This does take a little practice so do not get discouraged if it doesn't close tight the first time that you try it. It takes a little practice but by combining these two tricks you can get the jump rings to close quite tightly.