Jewelry accessories like clasps and chains are attached to sterling silver jump rings and metal loops. The jump rings can be put together to make chains, earrings, pendants, and chainmaille.
Working with Sterling Silver Jump Rings: DIY Chainmaille
Jewelry accessories like clasps and chains are attached to sterling silver jump rings and metal loops. From a practical sense, they only come in open and closed varieties.
Necklace chains, jewelry, and chainmaille are all made from these metal rings. Then, the jump rings can be put together to make chains, earrings, pendants, and chainmaille.
Some of the most popular modern patterns of linkage have their roots in the armory of the past. When they learned that connected rings could be used to construct a sturdy cloth that could offer some protection from being wounded in battle, they referred to it as chainmaille.
It’s been used for millennia by various cultures, and it’s still being created today—frequently in the shape of jewelry. While various decorations can be used, the primary component of the chainmaille is rings connected in multiple ways for added visual interest, flexibility, and drape.
How To Select The Ideal Jump Ring Size?
● When determining the size of a jump ring, it is essential to consider its diameter and gauge. The diameter measures across the shape, whereas the gauge indicates the thickness of the wire used to make a jump ring.
● The wire’s thickness should rise proportionately to the jump ring’s diameter, supporting the additional weight. Jump rings constructed of 20-gauge wire can be produced as small as 4 millimeters in diameter. However, a 4.5mm jump ring made of 18 gauge wire is more durable, even though small.
● An 18-gauge (6mm) jump rings are ideal for attaching clasps to necklaces and bracelets. Jump rings in the gauge range of 20-gauge (3.5mm to 4mm) work well for earrings that need light.
● Interestingly, not all vendors use the same method to measure jump rings. Some suppliers use the outer diameter of a jump ring, while others use the inner diameter of a jump ring. If you’re going to buy jump rings, be sure you’re buying them in the same size every time.
How To Select the Right Jump Ring Shape?
Jump rings aren’t all the same shape. Jump rings come in various forms, but the most common are round and oval, commonly used as connectors.
● Oval jump rings. Oval jump rings are essential to ensure that a cord or chain link does not slip through the hole of a jump ring. The cable will be less likely to fall through the gap if the aperture is on the side of the oval rather than in the middle.
● Heart jump rings. Add heart jump rings if you want to create an eye-catching design or display. Use these to enhance your designs or embellishment projects by adding more security.
● Triangle jump rings. These rings are a fun twist on the standard jump ring, letting you experiment with new styles and designs. Hanging components or charms can be attached to the chain with this tool. Chain nose pliers make it simple to open and close these.
● Square jump rings. These jump rings provide you with even another way to personalize your look. Square jump rings are perfect for attaching pendants to precisely made items since they take on the shape of a diamond when connected. These jump rings are a lot of fun to play with and useful for things like lengthening chains and attaching components.
● You are twisted jump rings. Use twisted jump rings to connect your jewelry pieces, provide dimension, or as a decorative element. These jump rings give your artwork a little flair and character. You can use it in several ways if you want to utilize it as a focal point or as an accent.
How To Make Your DIY Jump Rings?
The cost of a few jump rings seems inconsequential when only one or two are required. It’s also possible to make your own if you need many jump rings or can’t find them somewhere.
● Choose your wire. This is determined by the jump ring style you wish to create for the same role. For example, the thick and moderately stiff wire is ideal for substantial jump rings. On the other hand, it’s possible to get away with a thinner wire if your jump ring is more diminutive.
● With the round-nosed pliers, create a loop at the wire’s end. For the loop to be complete, the extended portion of the wire should be just below the short part.
● Continue wrapping the wire around the round-nosed pliers to form a coil. If you hold it too tightly, the pliers won’t be able to slide higher. Also, the loops should be the same diameter instead of stacked in a cone form like pliers.
● Make a series of jump rings once you have two or three more than the number you require. Mistakes can be made, and this method can remove sharp ends. Then, using a utility knife, cut off the straight ends of the branches. Just a coil of wire will be left.
● Jump rings can be cut off. First, use a utility knife to cut a small slit in the loop above the wire where the wire stops. A jump ring should be affixed to your cutters when you put them away. When all coils have been cut into jump rings, go to the next step.
How To Make Chainmaille Jewelry?
● Attach three closed jump rings to an open one using a threading needle. Stretch out the three rings and close the ring when you’re finished. The chainmaille will begin at the top two rings spread across the center. The bottom ring will serve as the necklace’s termination point.
● A jump ring can be used to secure the two rings as you hold them with your thumb and forefinger. To close the open ring, add two closed rings.
● As with the first set of rings, spread the second set of rings apart similarly. Next, another open jump ring should be hooked through the front of the closed rings on the uppermost portion of this bracelet. Once you’ve reached the appropriate length, repeat these procedures.
● Lay the necklace flat and hook an open ring through the first and second closed rings on the right side to create an optional fourth row. The ring is now shut. Add another open ring to the design between the second and third rings. Close. You can keep adding to the number as you progress through the third and fourth rings.