Open, Closed, or Split - Choosing the Best Jump Ring for Your Project

Jump rings are very important jewelry findings.  They provide a means to connecting pieces that wouldn't ordinarily be able to connect. They can vary in sizes, gauges and styles. Your design will dictate which jump ring to use for each project. It can be confusing when trying to pick the right one especially when you are looking at Open, Closed, and Split jump rings. Hopefully, this post will help you choose the right one for your project.

Open Rings 

Open Sesame:  An open jump ring is one that has a cut in it that allows you open and close it as to connect pieces together.  Open jump rings are used in Chainmaille designs and can be grouped in clusters.

To open a jump ring, use two sets of pliers (chain or flat nose).  If you only have one set, you can hold the other side with your fingers or use a jump ring opener.  When opening a jump ring, open with a twist.  It's like a push/pull action.  Push in one direction and pull in the other.  Never open a jump ring by pulling the sides apart.  It will warp the ring.  To close it back, just twist.  You should hear a slight grading of metal on metal when you close the jump ring correctly.

Jump Ring Opener available at Prima Bead

To use the Jump Ring Opener, slide it onto a finger on your non-dominant hand. Insert the jump ring into the closest fitting slot on the jump ring opener.  Using your chain nose pliers or fingers, gently open one side in a downward direction. The tool will help you stabilize the jump rings while you work on them.






See the video below for more technique.

Closed Rings

Closed Up Shop:  Closed jump rings have been soldered shut and have no way of opening them.  These are perfect for adding dimension to dangle earrings.  Use them as a connector for your eye pins and head pins to connect to.  I use them as the an "eye" for clasps.  When I have finished my beading, I slide the wire through the ring and crimp.  It provides a more secure connection for the clasps.  These can come in various styles and shapes and are often referred to as connector links.

 Split Rings

Split Personality: A split ring resembles a miniature key ring.  Split rings provide a stronger connection than open jump rings and offer an opening that closed jump rings cannot.  You can also use these for more secure connections of charms on a charm bracelet.  I find it has more stability and security than regular jump rings when attaching beading wire to a clasp.

There are a few ways to open them.  The first way is to insert a fingernail to open a split ring and slide a head or eye pin shaft to help you hold the spring ring open a you thread on your clasp, bail, or connector.  Once started, pull the pin out of the way, then finish twisting the split ring on.  The second way to open them is using a set of special pliers for split rings or a set of split ring tweezers.

Pliers available from Prima Bead

Tweezers available from Beadaholique

To use a pair of split ring pliers or tweezers, place the split ring on the flat side. As you close the pliers or tweezers, press the pointed side between the rings of the split ring. Once you have a grip on the split ring, you can slide it around until the end is securely open with room to add your charm, clasp, or whatever else you may be attaching.  Slide the object that you are attaching to the split ring onto the open end. Hold the object in your fingers and use flat nose pliers to work the split ring around to the other side, where the object will dangle freely.

Check out the video below. For more information.

My hope is that this information will help you choose the right jump ring for the right project.  Happy beading!


Unless otherwise credited, all photos and videos are from Prima Bead and Cousin Corporation.

FREE Friday Afternoon Project - Southwestern Style Bracelet

Ah, another hot Mississippi Friday afternoon......what could be better than a FREE DIY Jewelry Project?!

This lovely Southwestern style bracelet is easy and fast.

This easy beginner piece was created using the Jewelry Class in A Box in Casual available from Prima Bead.

Project time is about 20 minutes and the skill level is great for a beginner jewelry maker.

Materials from Kit:
1 - silver metal connector
1 - copper metal connector
1 - large turquoise acrylic bead
2 - teal wooden heishi style beads
1 - bronze glass bead
1 - 2mm wooden bead
1 - oval wooden bead
2 - eye pins
3 - 4mm jump rings
1 - 6mm jump ring
1- Chain
1 - Clasp
1 - Bead Mat

Tools Needed:
Flush Cutters
Round Nose Pliers
Chain Nose Pliers

Skills Needed:
Cutting chain
Forming Loops
Jump Rings

Measure your wrist first so you can make sure you are creating a bracelet that will be comfortable for you to wear.  This bracelet measures 7.5 inches, so all measurements are based on that.  Make sure you adjust accordingly for smaller or larger wrists.

Attach the small copper metal connector to the larger silver metal connector with a jump ring.

Slide the 2mm wooden bead, the bronze glass bead, two teal wooden heishi style beads and the oval wooden bead onto an eye pin. Form a loop.

Attach to the copper connector. Attach a 6mm jump ring using a 4mm jump ring to the loop at the end of the bead connector.

Slide a large turquoise colored acrylic bead onto an eye pin and form a loop.  Attach to the silver metal connector on the opposite side of the copper metal connector.

Cut two 3 inch sections of chain.  Attach both pieces to the turquoise bead using a 4mm jump ring.  Attach a clasp using a 4mm jump ring to the opposite end of the chain. I have found that attaching the clasp closer to the focal area of a bracelet instead of at a center point makes it easier to get the bracelet opened and closed.

Enjoy your bracelet.

FREE Friday Afternoon Project - Razzle Dazzle Earrings

Relaxing on a Friday afternoon......How about a DIY earring project?!  FREE!

Super easy and very elegant, these Razzle Dazzle Earrings were created with the Jewelry Class in a Box in Shimmer available from Prima Bead.

It's a very easy project for the beginner.  The earrings take about 15 to 20 minutes to complete, and you don't need any special tools.  The tool in the kit will work just fine for this project.

Materials from Kit:
22 bugle beads
4 bicones
6 large rondelle beads
8 headpins
2 ear wires
2 jump rings

Tools:
3-In-One from Kit

Skills Needed:
Jump Rings
Forming Loops

Begin by making all the dangles first.  Slide the beads onto head pins and form a loop. You will need two bicone dangles (see photo on left), four glass rondelle and bugle bead dangles (see photo on right), and two rondelle/bugle/bicone dangles (see photo below)

Open a jump ring and slide on one of the short rondelle dangles, one of the long rondelle dangles, one more short rondelle dangle and an ear wire.  Close jump ring. (See photo below.)

 
Next, attach the bicone dangle to the loop at the bottom of the ear wire. (See photo on right.)

Enjoy your earrings.