Basic Techniques

OPENING & CLOSING A JUMP RING

You will need two pairs of flat or chain nose pliers – make sure that the jaws are smooth not serrated otherwise you will damage the surface of your jump ring.

Take the sharp edge off the steel jaws of your pliers with very fine ‘wet & dry’ sandpaper. Test your pliers by gripping a ring or wire between the pliers’ jaws. Inspect the ring to make sure it is not marked. This will reduce damage to the rings but you still need to be careful not to grip the rings too firmly. Some people prefer to use nylon jaw pliers or to wrap the steel jaws of their pliers with electrical tape.

Hold the jump ring with two pairs of pliers so that the opening of the jump ring is at the top.

Try and hold your jump ring with the length of the pliers’ nose rather than holding each side with just the tips. If you only use the tips, you risk distorting the shape of your jump ring.

To open the jump ring, push the tip of the right-handed pliers away from you and bring the tip of the left-handed pliers towards you. (If you are left-handed, do the opposite).

Reverse step 2 to close the jump ring, pushing the ends towards you slightly.

If your ring does not close fully hold the ring horizontally between one pair of pliers and squeeze gently. Be careful not to squeeze too hard as you will cause the ring to be misshapen.

You may find that some jump rings do not fully close due to the spring back of the metal once it has been cut.

Care needs to be taken with the anodised jump rings as the surface colour can be easily scratched.