Yesterday I listed my

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in the 'Latest Creations' section so I thought I would post a tutorial for a simple method of making jump rings on my site. I finished and uploaded it today. I hope it might be helpful to someone. Here is the link:

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That's such a useful tutorial - thanks!

I have been thinking of trying to make jump rings for a while now (just getting into making chain maille jewellery). In practice, how easy is it to get neat results - especially using heavy gauge wire (I was thinking of 16 gauge...)?
I love working with sterling silver, but obviously don't want to waste expensive stuff like that testing out...
Would appreciate your thoughts!

Hi Clare,
If you want to make your own rings for chain maille, especially using heavier gauge wire, you really need to use a jeweller's saw, or a special cutting system. You can cut with flush cutters, but the ends will never match quite perfectly, and this can spoil the look of some weaves.

I use a koil kutter system, and love it, but this, or the more expensive jump ringer set, is a bit of an investment, especially with a tumbler to deburr and polish the rings too.

You can buy ready cut and tumbled rings in the right aspect ratios both here and in the US though.

hth
george

George,
Thanks for the reply - I had a feeling that to get a good finish, specialist tools would probably required. I guess that i will stick with buying ready made rings....I think that teh family are getting fed up with the amount of time I spend on jewellery as it is!
Thanks!