| What is a jewelry finding? | | | | ends away from or toward each other along the |
| In jewelry terms, a "finding" is a component of | | | | ring's "axis" -- not in the ring's "plane." Put the |
| jewelry less than a finished piece. | | | | open ring through the two pieces that need to be |
| What is a jump ring? | | | | connected. Then move the ends of the jump |
| Jump rings are basic components -- jewelry | | | | ring back toward each other, wiggling the ends |
| findings -- of jewelry design and construction, | | | | back and forth until the cut is hard to see and too |
| whether usedto attach a charm to a necklace or | | | | small for the pieces to come out of the loop. |
| bracelet or used to construct complex chain maille | | | | Open oval rings are many times better suited for |
| (chain mail) necklaces, bracelets and earrings. | | | | hanging charms than open round rings because |
| Jump rings are loops formed of wire. Two of | | | | the cut is along the long side of the jump ring. |
| the most common jump rings are either round, | | | | Gravity tends to pull charms into the closed small |
| open jump rings or round closed (soldered) jump | | | | part, so they cannot even accidentally escape the |
| rings. | | | | ring if the ring works open at the cut. |
| Other jump rings shapes include oval, teardrop | | | | For true security with charms, an open jump ring |
| and diamond. The rings may also be made with | | | | should be soldered shut. However, the soldering |
| triangular wire, square wire or twisted wire (which | | | | requires skills and tools that many do not want to |
| has to have at least one flat side for the twist to | | | | price into their jewelry. |
| be visible). | | | | Open Jump Ring Bracelets |
| Large and Fancy jump rings are more likely to be | | | | A "triangle seed bead bracelet" can be made with |
| used as earring drops and other decorative | | | | some 5/o triangle seed beads and 6/o round |
| components. | | | | seed beads placed onto 1mm diameter (18 gauge) |
| Quality open jump rings | | | | jump rings. These rings with beads on them can |
| Inexpensive pieces are often "chisel-cut", meaning | | | | be connected in a variety of patterns for |
| that both ends of the wire have a point. They | | | | bracelets, necklaces and earrings. |
| are also often made of thin wire that lacks | | | | Chain Mail (Chain Maille) |
| strength for long lasting jewelry. Quality open | | | | Open and closed rings can be combined into |
| jump rings are saw cut at 90 degrees to the | | | | strands and sheets. This type of jewelry is |
| "plane" of the rings so the ends will "fit" together | | | | called chain mail (or chain maille). Chain mail |
| well without showing a big gap. | | | | jewelry applies the idea of chain mail armor to |
| How are jump rings used? | | | | make earring components, necklaces and |
| Closed Rings as a target for Lobster Claw Clasps | | | | bracelets. Some of these patterns go by names |
| Closed rings make an ideal target for lobster claw | | | | like "Byzantine chain", "Tryzantine chain", "Box |
| clasps to lock around on beaded necklaces, | | | | chain", "European 4-in-1", "Foxtail", "Queen's Link" |
| bracelets and anklets. | | | | and other romantic names. |
| Connect Charms and Findings with Open Jump | | | | Jump rings, simple or fancy, are basic jewelry |
| Rings | | | | findings that every designer needs to understand, |
| Plain round and oval open rings are often used to | | | | whether making simple connections, making |
| connect charms to chains and bracelets. The | | | | flashy, open earrings or creating complicated chain |
| rings should be opened and closed by moving the | | | | maille pieces. |