Must-Have Jewelry Findings for Beginners
Just starting out in jewelry making? While strings of beads and wire can make a simple piece, jewelry findings are essential components that add the professional finishing touches to your handmade designs. Here are some must-have findings for beginner jewelry makers.
Jump Rings
Jump rings are simple round rings with an opening on one side that allow you to connect other components together. They come in various sizes, metals like sterling silver, gold, and copper, and finishes like antiqued, oxidized, and polished. Jump rings are a jewelry making staple and have many uses:
- Connecting a charm to a chain
- Assembling connected links
- Attaching a clasp
Lobster Clasps
No necklace or bracelet is complete without a clasp to secure it closed. Lobster clasps are a go-to finding for beginners because they're easy to attach and hold securely. The lobster claw design clicks neatly into place, unlike tricky spring ring clasps. They're available in a variety of sizes, metals, and decorative styles.
Head Pins
Head pins have a head on one end and a sharp point on the other to attach charms and beads to your jewelry. They come in different lengths and metals. To use them:
- Slide your bead or charm onto the pin
- Make a small loop at the top using round nose pliers
- Attach the loop to a jump ring or other finding
Eye Pins
Similar to head pins, eye pins have a small loop at one end instead of a head. The open loop allows you to easily link the eye pin to other findings like jump rings. Thread your beads onto the pin, then make a wrapped loop at the top using round nose and chain nose pliers.
Ear Wires
Ear wires create easy hook earrings so you don't have to fiddle with clasps. They have a loop on one end and a hook on the other. Slide beads, charms or other components onto the lower wire, then use pliers to wrap the wire around to form an earring. Ear wires come in French hook, kidney wire and fish hook styles.
Bail and Crimp Bead Findings
Bails attach your pendant to the chain, while crimp beads secure the bail in place. Thread a crimp bead, then the bail onto the chain. Loop the chain back through the crimp bead and flatten it tightly with pliers. Then attach your pendant to the bail for a professional look.
With this essential lineup of jewelry findings, you'll be able to take your beginner jewelry designs to the next level. Have fun combining these fundamental components to make unique, handcrafted pieces!
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Types of Jewelry Findings and When to Use Them
Jewelry findings are the components that allow you to build and finish jewelry designs. There are many types of findings, each with a specific purpose. Understanding the options will let you choose the right findings for your pieces.
Jump Rings
Jump rings are metal rings with an opening on one side. They connect components together by inserting another jewelry piece through the split. Use jump rings to:
- Attach charms or dangles to chains or wire
- Connect individual chain links
- Fasten clasps to ends of necklaces or bracelets
Clasps
Clasps do the important job of securely closing necklaces and bracelets. Common types include:
| Type | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Lobster Claw | Spring-loaded claw that snaps shut | For chunkier chains and bracelets |
| Magnetic | Two magnetic halves that connect | For jewelry that needs an inconspicuous closure |
| Barrel | Threaded screw clips into loops | For lightweight, delicate chains |
Head Pins and Eye Pins
Head pins and eye pins attach beads and other components to your jewelry. Head pins have a small head on one end, while eye pins have a loop. To use:
- Thread beads onto pin
- Make a loop at the open end with pliers
- Connect loop to other findings
Ear Wires
Ear wires create hooked earrings so you don’t need a clasp. Types include:
- French hook: elegant curve good for heavy earrings
- Kidney wire: rounded shape follows contour of ear
- Fishhook: Simple wire bent into hook shape
Bails
Bails connect a pendant to a chain. Look for bails with similar finishes to complement your pendant. Styles include:
- Basic ring bail
- Elaborate decorative bail
- Free-moving bail lets pendant swing
With this guide to essential jewelry findings, you'll be able to choose the right components for finishing beautiful, professional looking jewelry designs.
How to Choose the Right Jewelry Findings for Your Designs
Jewelry findings are the little components that make all the difference in finishing your homemade jewelry. Choosing findings that work with your design style, materials and personality will take your pieces from DIY to professional looking. Here are some tips for selecting the perfect findings.
Match Metal Finishes
Mixing silver, gold and other metal finishes rarely looks cohesive. For a put-together look, match findings to jewelry bases like chains. For example, use antique brass findings with an antique brass chain. Some matching options include:
- Silver with sterling silver
- Gold with gold filled or vermeil
- Rose gold with copper
Complement Beads and Stones
Findings should integrate seamlessly with beads, crystals and other jewelry components. A beaded strand in warm earth tones calls for antique gold or copper findings. Cool colored crystals, like aquamarine, pair best with sterling silver. Delicate beads work well with dainty findings.
Consider Style and Size
Dainty chains and pendants look best with petite, lightweight findings. Broad cuffs and statement necklaces need bolder findings that don’t get overpowered. For example, a substantial toggle clasp complements the feel of a chunky handmade chain versus a tiny barrel clasp.
Get the Right Fit
Necklace and bracelet lengths need well-fitted clasps and jump rings. A very long necklace requires a sturdy lobster claw or toggle clasp that attaches securely. For bracelets, measure your wrist and add an inch or two for the perfect fit when clasped.
Mix Simple and Decorative
Adding too many ornate findings can look gaudy and distracting. Combine a few decorative filigree beads or etched head pins with simple polished jump rings for balance. Use embellished findings at focal points, like a floral clasp on a bracelet.
Stock Up on Essentials
Build your findings collection with jewelry making basics like:
- Gold and silver jump rings
- Assorted head pins and eye pins
- Lobster clasps and toggle clasps
- Basic hook ear wires
Shop craft stores when these items go on sale. Having a versatile selection of essential findings on hand gives you flexibility for new projects.
Choosing the right findings might seem complicated at first, but gets easier with practice. Use these tips to make informed finding selections that will make your homemade jewelry look cohesive and professional.
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Jewelry Findings to Take Your Pieces to the Next Level
So you’ve mastered stringing beads and working with basic findings like jump rings and lobster clasps. Now it’s time to step up your jewelry making game with more advanced findings and techniques.
Head Pins and Eye Pins
Rather than simple straight pins, use fancy head pins and eye pins to connect your beads. Options include:
- Head pins with ornamental shaped heads like flowers or geometric shapes
- Hammered or textured metal head and eye pins
- Two-tone pins combining silver and gold
- Pins with colored enamel or crystal ends
Linked Connectors
Link connectors are findings made of connected metal rings or oval loops that let you add interesting new textures. For example:
- Snake chain link connectors
- Figure 8 links
- Oval links
Use pliers to open and close the links and integrate into your design. Linked connectors are great for chunky statement necklaces and stacked bracelets.
Wrapped Loops
Wrapped loops create a professional looking finish for attaching charms and jump rings. To make:
- Grip the wire about an inch from the end with pliers
- Bend wire over to form a loop
- Wrap the wire tail neatly around the base 2-3 times
- Trim excess wire with wire cutters
Toggle Clasps
Upgrade from the basic lobster clasp with a stylish toggle clasp. A toggle is comprised of a bar that slides through an open metal ring or decorative component to close. Choose toggles with handcrafted clay beads, leather or wire accents.
Crimp Covers
Take your crimping technique to the next level by hiding crimps inside these metal covers. Simply insert the crimped end inside the cover and close it with pliers for a seamless look.
Decorative Ear Wires
Basic hook ear wires get a facelift with these options:
- Ear wires with chain dangles or charms
- Ornate ear wires with filigree or crystal accents
- Ear cuffs that wrap around the edge of the ear
With these more inventive findings, you can make one-of-a-kind jewelry designs that look anything but ordinary.
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Jewelry Findings for Statement Pieces
Statement jewelry is all about being bold, eye-catching and full of personality. The right findings can take your oversized necklaces, cuffs and earrings to the next level. Here are some striking findings to make your statement jewelry stand out.
Oversized Clasps
Big, bold clasps instantly amp up statement necklaces and chunky bracelets. Try:
- Large toggle clasps
- Giant lobster clasps
- Oversized barrel clasps
- Hook-and-eye clasps
Look for clasps with unique shapes or heavy embellishments like rhinestones, filigree and enamel.
Long Tassel and Fringe Components
Add dramatic movement with long dangling tassels and fringes. Attach them to chunky link bracelets, wide cuff earrings or oversized pendants using jump rings or chain connectors.
Spacers
Spacers create gaps between beads or components to make necklaces and bracelets bolder looking. Medium to large spacers in materials like wood, acrylic and metal work best for statement pieces.
Dramatic Pendants
Choose a pendant that matches the scale of your statement necklace. Opt for large, eye-catching shapes like:
- Oversized crystals or gemstones
- Long spike pendants
- Chunky modern geometric pendants
Wide Cuff Earring Wires
Wide cuff ear wires make earrings the star of the show. Look for hammered metal wires or ones embellished with chains, studs or crystals.
Exaggerated Ear Jackets
Ear jackets wrap around the entire ear for a dramatic look. Go for styles that complement the shape of your face. Long diamond or triangle shaped jackets work well.
With these bold, eye-catching findings, you can create statement jewelry that expresses your personal style and gets you noticed.
Mixing and Matching Jewelry Findings for Unique Creations
One of the best parts of making your own jewelry is that you get to handpick all the components. Mixing and matching different findings is a great way to make pieces that are creative, eclectic and express your own personal flair.
Blend Metals
Don’t be afraid to combine silver, gold and rose gold toned findings in a single piece. For example, a bracelet made with sterling silver chain links could feature a rose gold fold-over clasp and gold spacer beads. Just be sure the tones complement rather than clash.
Mix Textures
Using findings with varied textures adds visual interest. Try pairing:
- Sleek polished jump rings with hammered head pins
- Twisted wire ear hooks with faceted crystal dangles
- A braided leather bracelet tie with engraved silver beads
Contrast Sizes
Varying the scale of your findings creates a sense of movement. A necklace could combine small jump rings with oversized links. Or connect petite silver beads with large carved wood spacers.
Blend Geometric and Organic
Offset geometric shapes with natural materials for an eclectic look. Some ideas:
- Try square gold jump rings with round jade beads
- Combine triangular metal ear wires with oblong resin dangles
- Mix oval onyx beads with star-shaped silver spacers
Mix Vintage and Modern
Pairing vintage with contemporary creates intriguing contrast. You might:
- Use an antique key as a pendant on a sleek snake chain
- Combine etched Edwardian-style head pins with funky acrylic beads
- Top a black leather wrap bracelet with a bright enameled gold clasp
Feature Meaningful Charms
Make a personal statement by blending charms with significance. For a travel jewelry theme, connect map charms, compasses and airplane pendants using brass jump rings.
Follow your creative intuition when selecting findings. Trust your eye for color, texture, proportion and style. Embrace imperfection and asymmetry. The beauty is in the mix!
