Permanent Jewelry Jump Ring Guide for Beginners & Pros
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When I first started my permanent jewelry business, jump rings totally confused me. Figuring out which ones matched each chain felt way more complicated than it needed to be. But after a little research and hands-on learning, it finally clicked—and now I want to help it click for you too.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about jump rings. They may be small, but they play a huge role in creating strong, lasting permanent jewelry. You’ll learn about sizes, metals, and why quality matters. I’ll also share where to buy them—like Sunstone Engineering or LINKED Permanent Jewelry Training—and how to make your own if you’re feeling crafty.
Whether you’re brand new or looking to sharpen your skills, this guide will make choosing and welding jump rings easier, faster, and more profitable. Let’s dive in and find the perfect fit for your jewelry.
Related: Best Online Permanent Jewelry Training Courses
Where to Buy Jump Rings for Permanent Jewelry
If you’re in pursuit of high-quality jump rings suitable for permanent jewelry applications, there are several reputable suppliers known for their exceptional products and services. Understanding where to source these critical components can significantly impact the durability and appearance of your jewelry. Here is an overview of key suppliers in the industry:
- Sunstone Engineering: Sunstone is a leader in the permanent jewelry industry, known for its pulse arc welding technology and high-quality supplies. Their jump rings are designed for strength, consistency, and clean welds—making them a top choice for serious artists. With a focus on innovation and support, Sunstone helps both new and experienced jewelers thrive.
- LINKED Permanent Jewelry Training: More than just a training program, LINKED is also a trusted supplier of high-quality jewelry supplies, including premium jump rings. Their beginner-friendly course covers everything from welding techniques to business and marketing, making it easy to launch and grow a successful permanent jewelry business.
- Pepetools: Renowned for providing a comprehensive range of jewelry making tools and materials, Pepetools is an ideal website for those looking for high quality jump rings. They cater to both beginners and seasoned professionals, offering solutions that ensure precision and efficiency in jewelry making.
HOW TO GET LINKED CERTIFIED: Copy the code ➡️ TRINITYTPAHP and enter it at checkout. Along with professional online training and a complete kit of startup supplies, this code will get you an exclusive $100 store credit for future permanent jewelry supplies, 60 ft of chain in your starter kit (worth $4,500+ in profit), a 20% student discount on LINKED jewelry for life, and a small $5 discount to activate your bonuses. (Monthly payment options are available at checkout, subject to eligibility.)
*If you’d prefer to purchase your welder without becoming LINKED certified, the code TRINITYTPAHP will still give you 5% off directly on the Sunstone Engineering website.
Related: The Best Permanent Jewelry Chains & Supplies
Understanding Jump Rings
Jump rings are those tiny loops you see in necklaces, bracelets, and other kinds of jewelry that help hold everything together. Think of them like the little links that keep the parts of your jewelry connected. They come in different sizes and thicknesses, and you’ll run into a few types, like the ones that snap open and shut, thicker ones that are simply twisted closed without a welder, and ones that are welded together to form a closed loop.
When we talk about using jump rings in permanent jewelry, picking the right jump ring is important. You want something that’s not just good-looking but also strong and able to last a long time without breaking. For permanent jewelry, the kind of jump ring that gets welded shut is the No. 1 choice because it’s especially secure. Once it’s attached, it’s meant to stay put, keeping your jewelry pieces permanently intact.
Sizing
When picking out jump rings for your jewelry, the size really matters. You’ve got to think about how big or small they are so they match up right with the rest of your jewelry, like the chains you use. If a jump ring is too big, it might look out of place, or if it’s too small, it might not fit or be strong enough to hold things together.
Gauge
The gauge of a jump ring refers to the thickness of the wire, and matching it closely to your chain’s gauge is key to creating a clean, seamless finish. For example, if you’re working with a delicate 26-gauge chain and try to use a thick 20-gauge jump ring, it might not fit through the link—and even if it does, the size mismatch can make it look bulky and out of place.
On the flip side, using a jump ring that’s too thin can lead to weak welds or misshapen rings over time. Most permanent jewelry artists work within the 20 to 26 gauge range, depending on the chain style. Learning to match your jump ring gauge to your chain ensures not only a strong hold but also a more professional, polished look.
Diameter
The diameter of a jump ring is the total size from one outer edge to the other. This measurement is crucial because you don’t want it to be much larger than the size of each chain link. If it is, the jump ring will stick out like a sore thumb, making the jewelry piece look awkward and unbalanced.
Aspect Ratio
To get a bit more technical, there’s something called the aspect ratio, which is just a fancy way of talking about the relationship between the thickness of the wire and the diameter of the jump ring. This ratio can really affect how the jump ring fits with your design and how it moves or hangs. For example, a thicker wire with a small diameter might be great for a charm that you don’t want moving around too much, while a thinner wire with a larger diameter might be perfect for a looser, more flowing design.
Now, you might be wondering how you’re supposed to measure the chains to find the perfect jump ring. A super handy tool for this is a digital caliper. It lets you get precise measurements of your chain links, so you can pick the right size of jump ring every time. With a digital caliper, you can measure the inner dimensions of your chain links to ensure the gauge of your jump ring will fit just right.
How to Master Jump Ring Sizing
Learning the ins and outs of jump rings—like gauge, diameter, and aspect ratio—can feel confusing and a little overwhelming at first. It’s easy to burn through a lot of expensive rings just trying to figure out what fits and welds well, especially when every chain has slightly different needs. That’s one reason I recommend LINKED Permanent Jewelry Training. Their course walks you through everything you need to know about jump rings in a beginner-friendly way, and their starter kit even includes specific sizing details for each chain, so you’re not left guessing or wasting materials trying to get it right.
HOW TO GET LINKED CERTIFIED: Copy the code ➡️ TRINITYTPAHP and enter it at checkout. Along with professional online training and a complete kit of startup supplies, this code will get you an exclusive $100 store credit for future permanent jewelry supplies, 60 ft of chain in your starter kit (worth $4,500+ in profit), a 20% student discount on LINKED jewelry for life, and a small $5 discount to activate your bonuses. (Monthly payment options are available at checkout, subject to eligibility.)
*If you’d prefer to purchase your welder without becoming LINKED certified, the code TRINITYTPAHP will still give you 5% off directly on the Sunstone Engineering website.
Related: Best Permanent Jewelry Welders
Metal Type and Quality
Selecting the appropriate metal for permanent jewelry jump rings is critical, particularly when it involves welding them shut. I want to emphasize the superiority of solid 14k yellow gold, solid 14k white gold, and solid 14k rose gold jump rings for such applications, highlighting the significance of metal quality.
For your gold chains, opting for solid 14k yellow gold jump rings is recommended. And for sterling silver or stainless steel chains, solid 14k white gold jump rings are best. The advantage of using solid gold jump rings lies in their integrity upon welding; they do not reveal any base metal beneath. This characteristic is key to the longevity and appearance of your customers’ permanent jewelry.
The issue with gold-filled jump rings, despite their appealing look and lower cost, becomes apparent during the welding process. Welding a gold-filled jump ring might initially seem successful, but a small dark spot at the weld point often appears. This discoloration occurs as the heat exposes the base metal within the jump ring, rather than the outer gold layer. Over time, this dark spot can enlarge, weakening the metal and potentially leading to breakage or unsightly corrosion, which is not the same thing as tarnishing.
That’s exactly why I personally use and recommend solid gold jump rings from trusted suppliers like Sunstone Engineering, either in white, yellow, or rose gold, even if the chains I’m using aren’t solid gold. Using solid gold ensures that the whole jump ring is made of the same high-quality metal, so when it’s welded closed, there’s no chance of any lesser metal being exposed and ruining the look or strength of the connection.
Related: Will Permanent Jewelry Tarnish? (Here’s What You Can Do)
Make Your Own Jump Rings
Understanding jump ring size and metal quality is just the start. With that knowledge, you can confidently choose the right rings for each project—or even make your own. To DIY jump rings, all you need is some gold wire, round-nosed pliers, and flush cutters. Simply wrap the wire tightly around the pliers or a mandrel to create a coil, then use your flush cutters to snip individual rings. It takes some practice, but once you get the hang of it, you can make custom jump rings in the exact gauge and diameter you need.
While making your own jump rings takes more time and effort than ordering them pre-made, it can lead to major cost savings—especially if you’re creating a high volume of pieces. For many artists, it’s a game-changer. But if you’re not quite ready to add that skill to your plate, purchasing high-quality rings is still a perfectly effective option. Either way, this guide has given you the tools to find the perfect fit and finish for every piece.
Related: How Much Does it Cost to Start a Permanent Jewelry Business?
