Wire Basics - Opening and Closing Jump Rings

by Judy Larson

Jump rings. Every jewelry maker has a stash of jump rings in many sizes and gauges because they are used in so many jewelry designs. Two basic types of jump rings are used in beginning jewelry making: Closed, which can't be opened, on the left where the ends are soldered together, and open on the right where the jump ring can be opened and closed for a variety of uses.

Instructions

Learning how to open and close jump rings in the correct manner is not hard, but it is an essential skill to learn.

The first thing to know is how NOT to open them. A jump ring should be opened like the ring on the right, not the one on the left. The one on the left was pulled or stretched open and will be almost impossible to get it back into the original round shape with the cut ends flush and even.

Judy Larson's Wire Basics - Opening and Closing Jump Rings - , General Education, , wire basics opening and closing jump rings

Positioning the pliers on the jump ring:

To open and close jump rings, two pliers are generally used, either two flat nose pliers or a flat and a chain nose plier. Where to grasp the jump ring with pliers: The first photo shows the jump ring opening a bit off center between the two pliers. This will work, but the closer to centered the opening is between the pliers-second photo, the more likely the twist in the jump ring will be half way around the ring, which is ideal.

If using a flat nose and a chain nose pliers, position the jump ring between the jaws as shown. By positioning the chain nose plier jaws parallel to the center line of the jump ring, there is better grip on the ring, meaning there will be less distortion as compared to using the tips of the plier.

Judy Larson's Wire Basics - Opening and Closing Jump Rings - Positioning the pliers on the jump ring:, General Education, , wire basics opening and closing jump rings

Open the ring:

Twist your wrist and pliers of one hand to bring one side of the jump ring forward or backward. Here that was forward, but either way is fine.

Close the ring:

After adding the desired element to the jump ring, it is ready to close. To work harden the ring to make it less likely to open, twist the same wrist and pliers so the pliers will twist one ring side in the opposite direction. Here it was to the back. Twist the same jump ring side back to the front. It may be necessary to go back and forth in this manner a few times until the ends of the jump ring "scrape" together. Even the jump ring ends up if needed and you are done!

Materials

Silver Filled Jump Rings Open (.040) 18ga 5mm - Pack of 25

S11-15

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $3.00
Gold Club Price: $2.25

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Silver Filled Jump Rings Open (.040) 18ga (OD) 6mm (ID) 4.02mm - Pack of 25

S11-17

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $3.96
Gold Club Price: $2.97

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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

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Category: General Education
Technique(s): General Education

Reviews

Judy Larson

My philosophy has always been "I will never live long enough to learn everything I want to learn, go everywhere I want to go and see everything I want to see!" So, what I make and how I create it is always changing and evolving. I was born shortly after WWII to parents who grew up during the Depression. They always had a "we can do it, we can make it" attitude which rubbed off on my two younger brothers and me. My brothers are amazing and can make and do ANYTHING! When I was a little girl, my mother gave me an old carved cigar box, which I cherish, filled with pop beads, wooden beads and yarn for stringing. That was the beginning of my jewelry making journey.

On a visit to the Grand Canyon when I was a young woman, I was fortunate enough to help a Native American silversmith sand cast my first silver bracelet and bezel set a large turquoise nugget on top. I was in love, hook, line and sinker! While working full time and having a family here in northern Minnesota, my artistic endeavors slowed down but never stopped. I am an artist, scrapbooker, seamstress, woodworker and jewelry artisan. Now that I am retired, I am able to indulge in all my hobbies. However, there just never seems to be enough time in the day to do it all, but I try!

I have been teaching community education beginner and intermediate jewelry making classes since my retirement. Many of my students have been bitten so hard by the jewelry making bug that they say I have turned them into monsters-they just can't get enough. Making jewelry, seeing something take shape from small bits and pieces, is so rewarding that I hope it brings out the "monster" in you, too!

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