How to Open and Close Jump Rings

Learning how to open and close a jump ring is one of the most important fundamental skills in making jewellery. Some of the ways you will use this skill include (but aren't limited to) adding clasps to chain and cord ends; adding pendants to earrings and necklaces; adding charms to bracelets; and connecting beads to make your own lengths of chain. Luckily, it's also a very simple technique to learn.

Supplies

• Jump rings
• Flat nose pliers
• Chain nose pliers

1. Open the Jump Ring

Step 1

Using your flat nose pliers (these are the ones with a square flat edge), pick up your jump ring. Use the side of the pliers to grasp half of the jump ring, leaving the opening exposed at the top.

Step 2

Using your chain nose pliers (these are the ones with the pointed end), take hold of the other half of the jump ring.

Step 3

At the same time, push the chain nose pliers back and pull the flat nose pliers forward. This will split the jump ring at its opening. Don't be tempted to pull the sides away from each other in an outwards direction. This will distort the ring out of shape.

2. Close the Jump Ring

Step 1

Once you've added your clasp/chain/beads onto the jump ring, you'll need to close it back up. Hold the ring with your pliers the same way as before.

Step 2

Move the ends of the jump rings back into position slowly. Push the ends further than they need to go so that they don't meet up again. This will help the wire to lose the memory of being opened up.

Step 3

Continue this movement, pushing and pulling the ends of the jump rings in opposite directions, while at the same time carefully and slowly pushing them together until the ends overlap.

Step 4

Now pull the end back out, just until you can slot them together. The wire will now hold the memory of being overlapped and the ends will push against each other, giving the jump ring a strong and secure hold with a seamless join.

Start Making Jewellery

Like most things, this will take a little practice to get perfect, so don't be disheartened if your jump rings aren't spot-on the first time.

It takes some time to get used to working with pliers and understanding how much pressure to give the ring, but once you've mastered this skill you can very easily start making your own jewellery like a pro!