Ask the Experts about Jewelry Making

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Topics: Making Jumprings

Q.
I am interested in making some chainmaille jewelry. One bracelet only gives the number of jumprings needed in troy ounces. Since I'm just learning, I want to make it in silver plated rings, and not sterling silver. I intend to make my own rings and was wondering if there is a conversion chart to figure out the number of rings I need to make (not how many ounces). I assume it also depends on the gauge and diameter of the rings. I need to make 18 gauge, 6.5mm rings. I can't seem to find any resources for figuring this out. Any help is greatly appreciated! Thank you!
- Erin
A.
There are approximately 149 18-gauge 6.5mm jumprings per troy ounce. The troy ounce measurement is reserved for precious metal only. Generally speaking, plated metal jumprings will weigh less and therefore there will be more per comparable package size. Please keep in mind these numbers are approximate and can vary.

Jumpring mandrels and coil-cutting pliers are great for making your own jumprings. Check out the tools and resources listed below for more information.

Note: If you wish to create a great number of jumprings in any metal wire for chainmaille patterns, it would be best to use a motorized handtool and jumpring cutting system. This would quickly produce consistently cut jumprings in large quantities.

- Michelle Wood, Jewelry-Making Expert

Materials Resources

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