Making Jump Rings
This week’s feature is a simple, but very useful project - making jump rings. I’m going to show you two ways. This first is the "proper" way that you’re shown if you take a silver smithing class. The second is the "I’m too lazy to dig around for my saw and need a jump ring right now," quicky way. If you are going to soder the rings together, I’ll tell you up front, do it the proper way. If you just need a jump ring to complete a beaded necklace and don’t need to soder it, then the second way works okay. So here goes.
"Proper" Jump Ring
Here are the supplies and equipment you'll need:
- jewelry saw
- beeswax
- wooden dowel
- files
- your choice of wire
First, hold the end of the wire up against the dowel and wrap the wire around the down. Except for the first and last wrap, each wrap will equate to a jump ring. So, the amount of rings you need will determine the number of times you need to wrap the wire.
Next, rub beeswax on the blade of the saw a few times. Slide the wire off the dowel and hold the coil with one hand. Using your other hand, start sawing vertically on the wire. Continue to saw until you work through the coil and have separate rings.
Now you have rings, but you need to saw the unfinished ends of each ring so it fits together.
If you plan on sodering the ring closed, it is critical to ensure the ends are as flat as possible, so they can meet and fit against each other closely. Sodering would be necessary if you plan to make a chain out of jump rings. However, I don’t think it’s necessary if you are just going to use the ring on the end of a necklace or bracelet. In fact, I have been told by a few jewelers that often jump rings aren’t sodered, when used like this, for safety reasons. This way, if you catch your bracelet on something, your bracelet will break instead of your hand being harmed.
"Quicky" Jump Ring
Here are the supplies and equipment you'll need:
- wire cutters
- wooden dowel
- files
- your choice of wire
Follow the instructions above, except instead of using the saw to cut the rings, use your wire cutters and cut each ring in half. The ends of each ring will not be as smooth as the ones done using the saw, but they aren’t too bad. Now, file as previously described. That’s it. Quick, huh?
One more item about jump rings that may be helpful is how to close them properly once you have filed them. Either using two flat nosed pliers in each hand, or just one pair of pliers and your finger, bring the ends of the jump ring together. You will need to move one side of the ring away from you and the other side towards you at the same time. Continue to do this until you hear the two pieces snap. Now they should be closed nice and tight.
Well, that’s the end of the jump ring lesson. If you need tools such as a saw or file, check out the Supplies section of my main page. I recommend Rio Grande which carries a large selection of jewelry tools.
As always, I'd like to hear from you.
All graphics created by Tammy Powley.