Jewelry-Making DIY Basics - So what is a Split Ring?

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by: FroelichLynchard836
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Word Count: 572
Date: Thu, 22 Dec 2011 Time: 11:21 AM

Knowing the terminology of basic jewelry findings will help you to the newbie jewelry designer to make quality jewelry pieces faster. Split rings may look just like jump rings, yet are not interchangeable.

So what is a split ring?

A split ring may be a round jewelry finding crafted from wire that doesn't have a gap over the ring, so jewelry components really don't fall with a cut.. The wire curves over almost two whole circles -- 720 degrees. At the earliest circle, the wire is a bend, than the second circle is true next to the first. If you've ever obtained plain key ring and "wound" your keys into the ring, then you have already used a split ring.

Uses of split rings

The description above gives an obvious use for split rings -- as key rings. The key rings themselves is often decorated with charms or pendants if their holes are adequately sized to adjust to directly on the key rings; if their holes will not be sufficiently big to put directly in the key ring, then first "wind" them onto an inferior ring, then "wind" your little friend ring on top of the big key ring. For putting charms on bracelets, choose rings with diameters smaller compared to the beads on either sides if you'd like the charms fixed into position. Lobster claw clasps and toggles may just be that come with either bead wire projects or chain projects using small split rings.

Most people makes use of split rings because target in a lobster claw clasp on bead wire projects -- crimping the ring into place at the end of the jewelry piece. However, the "transition" point from your two wires of one's ring in the one wire may harm a stranded bead wire. The "transition" point is irrelevant as much when exercising on a split ring with metal chain. The author prefers recommends closed (soldered) jump rings for lobster claw targets on crimped bead wire projects, either heavy gauge open jump rings or link locks to connect clasps and toggles to chain, and heavy gauge open jump rings or perhaps a closed jump ring/link lock combination for lobster claw targets on chain projects. Closed jump rings and link locks have a more "professional" for terminating bracelets, necklaces and anklets.

Split Ring Materials

Split rings will in most cases come in belonging to the following materials:

Platinum
Palladium
Gold: 18 karat, 14 karat, 12 karat in gold, white gold or platinum, green gold, rose gold
Gold-Filled: base metal with karat gold mechanically and thermally bonded to visible and wear surfaces
Silver: sterling silver (.925 silver) including argentium silver and blackened silver
Titanium
Surgical Steel
Lead-free Brass, usually plated with gold, silver, copper, imitation rhodium, and gunmetal, optionally antiqued or oxidized
The temper of the majority of sterling rings just isn't going to allow them to resume shape after you have jewelry components "wound" onto them. Plated and gold-filled split rings don't need the maximum amount of problem "springing" back up shape. As long to provide a jewelry designer discloses using plated rings with sterling silver, many buyers encourage use when the overall design attracts the interest. However, the Federal Trade Commission frowns on those people that present or imply an area as silver break free . uses lesser metals.