Jewelry Basics: How to Open Jump Rings & French Hooks

When you are just starting out making jewelry, it is important to know how to use the basic components.
One of the key jewelry components that you will invariably end up using is the jump ring. Did you know there is a 'right' way to open jump rings? Learn how in this Instructable, and also learn how to open French hooks for earrings.

1. Jump Rings

2. One or two pairs of pliers. If the metal is soft enough, you can use the side of your thumb in place of the second pliers to help you open the ring.

3. Bonus: French hooks

Grasp one side of the jump ring with your pliers. The opening of the jump ring should be near the top, just outside of the jaws of your pliers.
*In these photos, the side my pliers are holding is the side closest to me. The other side is farthest from me.
With the second pair of pliers (or your thumb), push the side of the jump ring the pliers are NOT holding AWAY from the pliers (the side that is farthest away from me).
This will open the jump ring without distorting its shape. Push it as far as you need to to use the jump ring.

To close the jump ring, repeat the previous steps in reverse.
Hold one side of the jump ring with the pliers and push the other side TOWARD the pliers until the ring meets itself.
That's it!

To open french hooks, you do the sane thing you did with the jump rings, but this time use the pliers to twist open the loop.
Hold the earring hook with your fingers and grab near the end of the loop with your pliers (my hands aren't visible in the photos because I'm invisible. Or because I don't have three hands. Or because it is too hard to take photos without hands.) Use the pliers to twist that loop open by twisting the pliers away from you.
Slide on your charm.
Close the loop by twisting it back to its starting point, just like the jump rings.

I hope this tutorial was helpful. If you are interested in more jewelry tutorials, check out my channel by clicking my name 'Little Lightning Bug' up at the top.