How to Use Jump Rings

Jump rings, also called split rings, are metal circles that you can open or close by using pliers. Using these rings, you can form your own chain link jewelry or connect several different chains together. Here's how you can open and close jump rings so that you can use them in your own jewelry designs.

Things You'll Need

• jump rings
• two pairs of jewelry pliers
• clear office tape
• the jewelry piece you are working on

Instructions

1. Buy split jump rings. Jump rings come in many different sizes and metals. Make sure you choose right kind of jump ring that will work with your jewelry design.

2. Take each of your pairs of pliers and cover the metal teeth with a piece of clear office tape. By doing this, you will prevent the pliers' teeth from scratching or denting the metal on your jump ring.

3. Get ready to open or close your jump ring. Put your jump ring onto the piece of jewelry. Pick up the jump ring by grabbing it with the pliers on one side of the opening. Take the second pliers in your free hand, and close the pliers over the jump ring at the opposite side of the opening.

4. Open your jump ring by moving your hands toward and away from you. For example, if you push your right hand away from you, gently move your left hand toward you.

5. Close your jump ring by moving your hands toward and away from you. You may need to do this a couple of times to get your ring completely closed.

Tips & Warnings

• Never open or close your jump rings by pulling or pushing from the right and left. This will stretch out the metal on the opposite end from your opening. Always move your hands forward and backward to open and close jump rings.