How to open and close a jump ring

Opening and closing a jump ring is a basic jewellery making skill which will allow you to go on and make a wide range of jewellery in an unlimited number of styles. Like anything else in jewellery making, it is a skill that may take a while to learn how to do, but with practise, will become easier over time.

There are a wide range of jump rings available to use, in a range of sizes, wire gauge and metals with a range of plating, allowing lots of variations within your jewellery styles.

Step 1:
To open a jump ring, hold it with two pairs of pliers, one at 3 O’clock and the other at 9 O’clock.

Step 2:
Twist one hand either towards you or away from you opening the ring.

Step 3:
Attach to chosen object.

Step 4:
Close the jump ring by twisting the jump ring in the opposite way to how you opened it, ensuring the ends meet when it is closed.

Tip: if the ends of the jump ring don’t align after you have closed them, give them a little back and forth wiggle until you feel them meet.