The Birth of 200 Thousand Jump Rings

by Judy Ellis
Today I thought we'd talk a little bit about a very useful, and yet (perhaps) under-appreciated metal finding. The Jump Ring!
Instructions
What is a Jump Ring?

Jump rings are small metal circles with a cut that allows them to be opened to connect pieces together and then closed again to secure them. Jump rings are useful for connecting clasps and charms or joining two findings that won't attach to each other directly.

Jump rings can be used in a series to form a chain-like design or they can be grouped in clusters.

How are Jump Rings made?

Here at Wirejewelry, we make a lot of our jump rings by hand, so I thought I'd share a few images of what the "birth of a jump ring" looks like.. from start to finish!
Step 1. Twisting copper wire to create a coil.
Judy Ellis's The Birth of 200 Thousand Jump Rings - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Making Chain, Chain Making , Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Jump Rings, Jump Ring, Making Jump Rings, Tumbling, Tumble, Tumbling Jewelry, Making a coil of copper jump rings
Step 2. Coiled Wire
Judy Ellis's The Birth of 200 Thousand Jump Rings - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Making Chain, Chain Making , Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Jump Rings, Jump Ring, Making Jump Rings, Tumbling, Tumble, Tumbling Jewelry, Copper wire coils
Step 3. Layers of coiled wire, ready to cut.
Judy Ellis's The Birth of 200 Thousand Jump Rings - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Making Chain, Chain Making , Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Jump Rings, Jump Ring, Making Jump Rings, Tumbling, Tumble, Tumbling Jewelry, Copper wire coils
Step 4. Final jump rings, after cutting and tumbling.
Judy Ellis's The Birth of 200 Thousand Jump Rings - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Making Chain, Chain Making , Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Jump Rings, Jump Ring, Making Jump Rings, Tumbling, Tumble, Tumbling Jewelry, Copper wire jump rings
After cutting, we count and package and sent them off to you!

How do you handle a jump ring?

To open or close a jump ring, it's easiest to use two pairs of flat or bent nose pliers. If you have one pair, you can hold one side with your fingers. If there is a gap, close it by moving the sides back and forth pressing gently together. The ends should overlap then snap together tightly so the tension of the metal will hold the gap closed. When you open a jump ring (or any loop) twist it open rather than pulling it open so it will hold tight when re-closed.

Here is a great tip by Rebecca Rudaski on "Working with Jump Rings" that demonstates opening and closing your jump rings.
Why so many jump rings?

"La-Te-Dah" is a phrase we've been using around our warehouse a lot the last few weeks! Why? Because we just announced a NEW series of DVD's by Patti Bullard called the Wire & Pliers Series. One of it's main components is the "La-Te-Dah" Interchangeable Jewelry System When you order the Complete Wire & Pliers DVD Series you also get the FREE Supply Kit.
Judy Ellis's The Birth of 200 Thousand Jump Rings - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Making Chain, Chain Making , Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Jump Rings, Jump Ring, Making Jump Rings, Tumbling, Tumble, Tumbling Jewelry, Wire and Pliers DVD series
Here's everything included in the supply kit:

  • 5 feet of 16-gauge copper wire for links, charms, and clasps...
  • 18 inches of 18-guage round dead soft copper wire for the charms
  • 3 feet of 20-gauge round dead soft copper wire for charms and ear wires...
  • 30 jump rings, 18-guage 4.0mm ID copper jump rings
  • A handpicked assortment of beads, spacers, and bead caps
  • Copper Headpins
  • Copper Ear Wires
  • 16-guage 6.0mm ID jump ring for pendant
  • All the Jump Rings you need for your extender chain
  • Here are a few photos of some of the finished jewelry that you can create with the DVD Series and the Supply Kit.
    Judy Ellis's The Birth of 200 Thousand Jump Rings - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Making Chain, Chain Making , Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Jump Rings, Jump Ring, Making Jump Rings, Tumbling, Tumble, Tumbling Jewelry, Copper wire bracelet
    Judy Ellis's The Birth of 200 Thousand Jump Rings - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Making Chain, Chain Making , Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Jump Rings, Jump Ring, Making Jump Rings, Tumbling, Tumble, Tumbling Jewelry, Silver wire bracelet
    Judy Ellis's The Birth of 200 Thousand Jump Rings - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Making Chain, Chain Making , Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Jump Rings, Jump Ring, Making Jump Rings, Tumbling, Tumble, Tumbling Jewelry, Pendants with Handmade Venetian Glass Beads
    Judy Ellis's The Birth of 200 Thousand Jump Rings - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Making Chain, Chain Making , Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, Jump Rings, Jump Ring, Making Jump Rings, Tumbling, Tumble, Tumbling Jewelry, Silver jump ring chain
    Now you understand why we've been making so many jump rings!

    If you'd love to try creating this beautiful NEW Interchangeable Jewelry Set, take a look at our Complete Wire & Pliers DVD Series and you too, can get some of our hand cut copper jump rings in your Supply Kit!

    Materials

    Complete Wire and Pliers DVD Series
    DVD-WIREPLIERSset
    • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
    • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
    • Price: $239.70
    • Gold Club Price: $179.78
    Add to Bag
    Jump Rings
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    Wire
    Shop Now
    Add All Items to Cart

    Tools

    Flat Nose Wire Pliers
    G2-506
    • G2-506
    • Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
    • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
    • Price: $32.95
    • Gold Club Price: $24.71
    Add to Bag
    Lindstrom Multi-Purpose Shear, 5-3/4 Inches
    G2-6000
    • G2-6000
    • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
    • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
    • Price: $39.95
    • Gold Club Price: $29.96
    Add to Bag
    WireJewelry Single Barrel Rotary Tumbler, Jewelry and Metal Polishing Kit, Includes 1 Pound of Jewelers Mix Shot and 8 Ounces of Shinebrite Burnishing Compound (2021 Version)
    G24-1V2-KITSS
    • G24-1V2-KITSS
    • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
    • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
    • Price: $159.93
    • Gold Club Price: $119.95
    Add to Bag
    Optional Tools
    Baby Wubbers Bent Nose Plier
    G2-1139
    • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
    • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
    • Price: $23.97
    • Gold Club Price: $17.98
    Add to Bag
    Classic Wubbers Narrow Flat Nose Pliers
    G2-1236
    • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
    • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
    • Price: $27.95
    • Gold Club Price: $20.96
    Add to Bag
    C.H.P Milano Italian Flush Cutter, 5 1/2 Inches
    PLR-487.00
    • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
    • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
    • Price: $16.97
    • Gold Club Price: $12.73
    Add to Bag
    Add All Items to Cart
    • Category: Findings
    • Technique(s): Chain Making, Coiling, Cutting, Making Jump Rings, Tumbling