How to Open Jump Rings

They can be made from gold, silver, copper or brass wire and, whilst they are traditionally round in shape, they can come in other forms such as ovals, squares, triangles and hexagons. The wire itself may also be embellished through twisting or the metal may be square, so opening jump rings is a procedure that, whilst comparatively simple, must be done with care. Ultimately, putting too much stress on these jewellery findings can result in the jump rings breaking, becoming weak or difficult to close, which will, in turn, weaken the structure of the piece as a whole.
. Chain nose pliers are defined by the shape of the outer jaw; this jaw is rounded and tapers towards the tip.However, it is important to note that the ring must not be opened by pulling the opposing ends apart. Instead, the ring is twisted open, to create the appropriate gap. If the jewellery findings are very small, a pair of pliers can be used to hold the ring, whilst another pair is used to twist it open. This process can also be used to open large numbers of jump rings. It is important to only open the jump ring as far as you need to or you will risk fatiguing the metal wire. Some chain nose pliers also have a cutting blade on the inner part of the jaw, used for cutting soft wire, as well as other jewellery findings.Although opening jump rings is a relatively easy procedure, you must be prepared to make a few initial mistakes. As with most jewellery-making techniques, all that is required is a little patience and a steady hand. Once you have mastered these skills, you will be able to apply them to other pieces, adding a greater depth and complexity to your pieces. Flat nose pliers have, as the name suggests, have two flat-surfaced jaws that are used to hold and manipulate both sheet and wire. Unlike chain nose pliers, they do not taper and are most commonly used for crimping and manipulating.