CHECK YOUR JUMP RINGS NOW

Grab your loupe.

You know what the #1 thing is to give out and break on chains, necklaces and bracelets?

The jump rings.

(Some people call them O rings, or C rings…)

These jump rings (the little round rings that hold your links, chains, tennis bracelets, clasps on – see photo right) can have many issues…

The first is this… Most are not soldered.

Many are open.

Which means, if the chain is tugged on (babies love to do this), then the jump ring will open up and your necklace will fall off your neck (or arm). You’ll lose it if you’re not careful.

That’s the first issue to look for.

I highly advise if your jump rings are not soldered, get them soldered now (but this can only be done if it’s solid gold or sterling silver; any gold plated or costume jewelry will not work).

Take it into a jewelry store and have them solder those rings closed so they don’t open up.

And while you’re looking at them (you really should invest in the best jeweler’s loupe ever), also see if the ring is snug.

It should be closed, but as you’ll find, many are gapped, unaligned, and will allow your chain to slip through the crack quickly!

That’s not good.

Those should also be closed up, snug, and soldered as well.

Now…

If your jump rings are closed and xoldered…

Congrats.

But that doesn’t mean all is right.

Because no matter what, these rings are the first thing to wear down on a chain.

Especially since jump rings come in all sorts of sizes, thicknesses, and shapes. Most are round, but oval out as they get stretched and worn (see photo below).

And jump rings get devious, too.

Because they may look durable, thick, fastened…

But many are actually frail, weak, and ready to break.

This happens because the chain links move back and forth. They saw into each other, cutting through the metal with constant movement and friction. They actually will create cavities or voids in the jump rings.

This happens to any kind of link (like the loop that holds your pendant on, or the loops on your earrings or pearl pendants). Look at all of them now.

Take your jump ring and move it around.

That’s how you truly know if it’s breaking.

See image below.

1. Check that the rings are closed shut
2. Check that the rings are soldered closed
3. Check that they are not worn thin and ready to break
4. If they are, replace them now.

For if one jump ring is worn…

All of them are. They wear down pretty evenly (like tires on a car).

They may all have to be replaced.

A jeweler can check them out for you and give advise and prices for repairs.

But it’s better than losing your expensive jewelry or diamonds.

It’s just maintenance on your goods, and there’s no way around this type of normal wear and tear.

So grab a loupe and inspect your jump rings today.

Cheers! :)