Understanding GRIFFIN Jump Rings and Split Rings: A Jeweller’s Guide

Jump rings and split rings might be the smallest components in a jeweller’s toolkit, but they’re responsible for some of the most critical connections in a finished jewelry piece. A jump ring that’s been opened incorrectly, closed imprecisely or chosen in the wrong size is a failure point waiting to happen. GRIFFIN produces open jump rings, soldered jump rings and split rings in 925 sterling silver and 24K gold plated finishes, with sizes covering every application from fine chain work to heavy clasp attachment. Here’s everything you need to use them correctly.

What is a GRIFFIN Jump Ring?

A jump ring is a small loop of wire with a single cut through it, creating an opening that allows the ring to be connected to other components. When properly closed, the two ends meet flush to form a complete circle with no visible gap.

Jump rings serve as connection elements throughout a piece of jewellery. They link clasps to cord or chain ends, connect pendant bails to necklace chains, join separate sections of a design and allow extension chains to be added. Wherever two components need to be joined with a flexible, circular link, a jump ring is the standard professional solution.

GRIFFIN produces two types of jump ring in the open category:

Open Jump Rings: Standard jump rings with a single cut. The gap allows the ring to be opened by rotating the two ends apart, threaded onto the component to be attached, and then closed again by rotating the ends back together. Closed correctly with flat-nose pliers, an open jump ring provides a reliable, tidy connection.

Soldered Jump Rings (Closed): Pre-soldered rings with no cut and no opening. These create a permanently closed loop that can’t be opened. They’re used where a fixed, zero-movement attachment point is needed - typically at the end of a cord or chain, serving as the fixed loop through which a lobster clasp or spring ring hooks.

What is a GRIFFIN Split Ring, and How is It Different?

A split ring is a different component to a jump ring, even though both are used for similar connection purposes. Where a jump ring is a single loop of wire with one cut, a split ring is made from a double coil of wire, overlapping itself like a keyring.

To attach a component to a split ring, you prise apart the end of the coil and thread the component around the wire until it rides the full circumference and seats between both layers. It takes more effort than using a jump ring, but it produces a connection that can’t come apart through normal use - there’s no single weak point where a gap could open.

The practical difference:

• A jump ring that’s not properly closed can develop a gap under sustained stress. This is the most common cause of pendant loss on chain necklaces.

• A split ring can’t develop a gap, because the double-coil construction distributes any stress across the full circumference of the wire.

• Split rings are the preferred choice for high-security applications: key fobs, charms on bracelets with active wear, pendants with significant weight or sentimental value.

GRIFFIN Split Rings for jewelry are available in 925 sterling silver and 24K gold plated finishes, designed to match the full GRIFFIN jewelry findings range.

Open Jump Rings vs Closed Jump Rings

The choice between open and closed (soldered) jump rings comes down to whether the connection point needs to be adjustable or permanent.

Use open jump rings when: the ring needs to connect to a component during construction; when you’re attaching a clasp and need to thread the ring through the clasp eye before closing; or when you want the flexibility to reopen the connection later if adjustments are needed.

Use soldered (closed) jump rings when: you need a permanently fixed loop at a termination point - particularly at the end of a cord or beading wire where the ring simply provides the attachment hook for the clasp; or when the connection point doesn’t need to be opened during or after construction.

Many professional jewellers use a combination: a soldered jump ring at one end of a necklace (where the clasp hooks in during use) and an open jump ring at the other end (where the clasp mechanism is attached and the ring is permanently closed with pliers after threading). This approach is efficient and gives a clean, professional finish.

GRIFFIN Jump Rings: Sizes and Material

GRIFFIN jump rings are available in both 925 sterling silver and 24K gold plated finishes - a complete parallel range in both metals. 925 sterling silver is the professional standard for fine jewellery findings, combining durability and workability with long-term tarnish resistance. The 24K gold plated range delivers a rich, lustrous gold surface that works well with gold-plated findings, warm-toned gemstones and GRIFFIN’s 24K gold plated Jewelry Wire.

As with all gold-plated components, the plating is a surface treatment rather than solid gold. For pieces intended for very heavy daily use, it’s worth weighing sterling silver against gold plated relative to the expected wear cycle. For most jewellery applications, GRIFFIN’s 24K gold plating is a durable, professional-quality finish.

GRIFFIN Open Jump Rings come in six sizes across both metal options:

Selecting the right size depends on three things: the gauge of the wire or cord being connected, the size of the clasp eye it needs to thread through, and the visual proportion of the ring relative to the finished piece. A quick practical test: thread the closed jump ring over the clasp eye and through the cord end or crimp loop before closing. It should pass through both connection points comfortably without forcing. A ring that requires force to thread is either too small for the application or the connected components are too bulky for that wire gauge.

If a specific customer or client has documented metal sensitivities, it’s always worth confirming material suitability directly with them, as individual responses to metals vary. GRIFFIN doesn’t make specific hypoallergenic or nickel-free claims for its sterling silver range on current product pages, but 925 sterling silver is widely used in fine jewellery precisely because of its track record with a broad range of wearers.

Correct Tool Use: Opening and Closing GRIFFIN Jump Rings

Incorrect opening and closing technique is the single most common cause of jump ring failure. The mistake most beginners make is pulling the two ends of the ring apart sideways, creating an oval gap. This distorts the ring’s round form and makes it very difficult to restore to a perfect circle when closing.

The correct technique:

Opening: Hold the ring with two pairs of flat-nose pliers, one gripping each side of the cut. Rotate one end forward and one end backward in opposite directions, so the gap opens perpendicular to the plane of the ring rather than outward. The ring keeps its round form - only the gap size changes.

Closing: Reverse the rotation, bringing the two ends back into alignment. The goal is for both ends to meet flush, with no gap and no overlap. Apply gentle outward pressure after the ends meet to seat the closure tight. A properly closed jump ring should show no gap when viewed head-on.

Test before finishing: After closing, test the ring gently by applying light pressure in the direction the connection will experience during wear. If the gap opens under light pressure, the ring isn’t properly closed - reopen it, realign and close again.

For split rings, a dedicated split ring plier (a small lever tool with a wedge tip) makes threading components significantly easier and faster than working with fingernails or standard pliers. The wedge prises the coil apart cleanly, letting the component thread on without distorting the ring.

Use the right ring for the right connection. Match the size to the application, close it correctly, and the result is a connection that holds for the life of the piece.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I use an open or soldered jump ring at my clasp attachment?

Use a soldered (closed) ring where you want a permanently fixed loop - typically the end where the clasp hooks in during use. Use an open jump ring where you need to thread the ring through the clasp body before closing it, typically the end where the clasp mechanism is attached.

Are GRIFFIN jump rings available in gold?

Yes. GRIFFIN Open Jump Rings and Soldered Jump Rings are both available in 24K gold plated finish across the full size range, matching GRIFFIN’s gold-plated clasps and Jewelry Wire.

What tool do I need to open and close GRIFFIN jump rings?

Two pairs of flat-nose or chain-nose pliers are the standard tool for open jump rings. For split rings, a dedicated split ring plier makes the process significantly easier. Avoid round-nose pliers - they can distort the ring shape rather than holding it steady during opening.

Can GRIFFIN split rings be used with bead cord?

Split rings aren’t typically used with bead cord - the standard approach for cord is to knot at a jump ring or clamshell bead tip. Split rings are most useful when attaching charms, pendants or clasps to chain or wire-strung pieces where ring security under repeated stress is a priority.