Making Jump Rings

by Jennifer VanBenschoten

A very smart, very talented, and very sweet jewelry artist that I've known for almost 2 decades once told me, - Everyone should know how to make their own jump rings. - And you know what? She's absolutely right. Learning how to make your own jump rings out of wire not only gives your confidence a boost when it comes to wire jewelry making, but it also ensures that you won't ever, ever run out of jump rings! You can learn how to make jump rings using some basic tools and your favorite wire. Later on when you feel more confident, you can graduate to learning how to saw your jump rings using a jeweler's saw. For now, we're going to stick to using our flush cutters and a simple mandrel.
You can choose what gauge wire you use for your jump rings: 18 gauge are pretty heavy duty, 20 are more suitable for everyday use and wear, and 22 gauge are very fine for more delicate pieces.

Instructions

Working right from the spool, start to wrap the wire in a tight coil around your mandrel or mandrel pliers. If your coil starts to separate a bit between wraps, use your chain nose pliers to gently squeeze them back together.

Jennifer VanBenschoten's Making Jump Rings - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Cutting, Cutting Tool, Cutters, coil the wire

Continue wrapping tightly until you have covered the mandrel. Use your flush cutters to nip off the wire from the spool. Slide the coil off the mandrel.

Starting at the bottom, use your flush cutters to nip the jump rings off one by one. One side of your jump rings is going to have a pointy end. Check each one and just give them each a little nip with the flat side of your flush cutters so that the surfaces of the jump rings meet with no gap in between them.

To work harden your jump rings, pick up a jump ring in your chain nose pliers with the seam facing up. Grasp the other side of the jump ring with your other pair of chain nose pliers and gently wiggle the ring open and closed a few times until you feel it start to stiffen.

Congratulations, you've work-hardened your jump ring for a long life!

If you have a few pairs of shaped mandrel pliers, you can use this technique to make custom-shaped jump rings for your wire jewelry creations and designs. Enjoy!