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Jump Rings - annealing the wire?

Jewelry Discussion
#1

We’ve (hubby and I) have recently purchased a jump ringer and are
having lots of fun making tons of jump rings. I’m new to working
with metal, specifically silver, and wonder if we should be annealing
the wire before or after making the rings. How do you know when to
anneal and when not to? Do those rules apply to gold fill or copper
too? How do you know when the wire is up to temp? Should we be
tumbling the rings after they are made to harden?

Lots of questions, I know. Be kind to a newbie:)

Susan
Sun Country Gems
www.suncountrygems.com

#2

Dear Susan,

I’m glad you are enjoying using your Jump Ringer. Regarding your
questions about annealing wire or finished jump rings don’t do
it. We recommend using half hard wire for jump rings, not dead soft
and not annealing. There are two reasons for this:

  1. Anything made from half hard wire is stronger and will last
    longer than if made from dead soft or if annealed (and not
    soldered).

  2. Everything being equal, harder wire (any material) will saw
    cleaner than soft wire will. It will produce fewer and smaller
    burrs. Of course any burrs that are produced may be eliminated by
    tumbling but why not try to avoid them in the first place?

I hope this answers your questions. If you have any others, please
post them and I will respond.

Ray Grossman
Ray Grossman Inc.
Inventors and Manufacturers of Jump Ringer systems

#3

If you are using store-bought wire, there is no need to anneal it
before or after. Tumble the rings after you have finished making your
chains.

Gloria F

#4

An annealed jump ring will be more likely to come loose if it used
cold, that is if it is closed without solder. If it is working for
you without annealing, then there is no reason to waste the time and
energy.