Jewellery findings are the small but essential components that hold every piece of jewellery together, from clasps and jump rings to ear wires and pins. This guide explains what jewellery findings are, why they matter, and how to choose and use the right ones for your projects. By the end you will know the names of the most common findings and have the confidence to incorporate them into your work.
When it comes to jewellery making, creating handmade pieces is rewarding and lets you express your own creativity and flair. But the real magic begins with the intricate elements that hold your designs together: jewellery findings. As a crucial component in creating distinctive, captivating designs, findings are an indispensable part of any jewellery maker's toolkit. Below we take a closer look at these essential jewellery components, shedding light on their significance and how to use them effectively.
What are jewellery findings?
The term "findings" in the world of jewellery might be a bit puzzling for beginners. Not to be confused with gemstones or charms, jewellery findings refer to the diverse array of components used to assemble a piece of jewellery. In short, they are the nuts and bolts, the framework of your creation.
These elements include clasps, hooks, jump rings, ear wires and pins, among many others. They come in different shapes, sizes and materials such as gold, silver, brass or nickel, making them adaptable to a multitude of creative designs. They can be simple or intricate, depending on your style, adding unique flair to your creations. In essence, jewellery findings are the unsung heroes in the background that, while often unobtrusive, play a crucial role in keeping your jewellery functional and aesthetically appealing.
Why are jewellery findings important?
Findings are given importance for several reasons.
Durability
Findings provide strength and durability to your pieces. They ensure that your design stays secure and lasts, enabling your piece to withstand the test of time.
Comfort and fit
Jewellery findings are integral in ensuring that a piece fits perfectly and comfortably. An earring wire, for instance, makes it possible to wear an earring, while a clasp ensures a necklace or bracelet stays securely around your neck or wrist.
Aesthetic value
Beyond practicality, findings contribute significantly to the overall aesthetic of a piece. Choose from decorative clasps, bead caps or spacer beads to add a touch of glamour or sophistication.
Versatility
The array of available jewellery findings provides limitless creative possibilities. You can experiment with various combinations to produce a piece that suits your unique style and vision. For the historical context behind these components, see our guide to the history and evolution of jewellery findings.
How do you use findings in jewellery?
Whether you are crafting a simple pendant necklace or a set of extravagant pearl earrings, using jewellery findings correctly is key to achieving your desired result.
Choosing the right findings
Start by identifying the type of jewellery you are making. This will help determine the necessary findings. For instance, making earrings will require ear wires or studs, while necklaces may require jump rings, clasps and bead caps.
Assembling
Once you have selected your components, it is time to assemble. This process may require tools such as pliers or tweezers for opening and closing jump rings, attaching clasps or threading beads onto pins.
Experimentation
There is no hard and fast rule when it comes to using jewellery findings. The joy of jewellery making is experimenting with different styles, techniques and components to achieve your desired look. Practice makes perfect, so do not be afraid to try, test and rework your designs.
What are the names for jewellery findings?
In the broad world of jewellery crafting, there are countless types of findings, each with its unique function and name. Here are a few common ones that you should be familiar with:
- Jump rings
- Ear wires or hooks
- Head pins and eye pins
- Clasps
- Crimp beads
- Bails
- Spacer beads
These are just a handful of the most common findings. Depending on your creativity and complexity of design, you may require more specialised types. For a beginner-friendly introduction to all the essentials, see our beginner's guide to jewellery making.
FAQs
What are findings in jewellery making?
Findings are the small metal components that hold a piece of jewellery together — clasps, jump rings, ear wires, headpins, crimps, bails, bead caps and chains. They are the structural connectors that turn loose beads, crystals and pendants into finished wearable jewellery. Good-quality findings determine how long a piece lasts and how comfortable it is to wear.
What are the most essential jewellery findings for beginners?
Eight essential findings for beginners: 1) Jump rings (4mm and 6mm). 2) Lobster clasps. 3) Headpins (2 inch). 4) Eye pins. 5) Crimp beads. 6) Crimp covers. 7) Earring hooks. 8) Bails. A starter kit covering these eight items costs around £15–£25 and is enough to make a wide range of necklaces, bracelets and earrings without needing additional components.
What is the difference between a jump ring and a split ring?
A jump ring is a single circular loop with one break, opened by twisting with two pliers. A split ring is a double-coiled loop (like a key ring), more secure but harder to open. Jump rings are the standard finding for everyday jewellery; split rings are stronger and used where security matters, such as the clasp end of necklaces and dog tag attachments.
What metal should I use for jewellery findings?
Choose by skin sensitivity and design intent: Sterling Silver (925) for premium hypoallergenic everyday wear; gold-filled for warm tones without solid gold cost; surgical stainless steel for sensitive ears and waterproof use; plated brass or copper for fashion jewellery at budget price points. Avoid pure nickel and unrated alloys which trigger contact dermatitis in many wearers.
How do I attach a clasp to a necklace?
Use a jump ring at each end of the chain. For one end, attach the lobster clasp; for the other, attach a small soldered jump ring as the catch loop. Use chain-nose pliers to open and close the jump rings by twisting (never pulling) the ends apart. For stringing wire necklaces, secure the clasp using crimp beads instead of jump rings.
What is a bail in jewellery making?
A bail is the finding that attaches a pendant to a necklace chain or cord. Common types include simple bails (pinch-on for top-drilled pendants), ice-pick bails (for drilled pendants with a small hole), glue-on bails (for cabochons and undrilled stones) and pendant slides (for stringing through). Choose the bail type based on the pendant's drill style and design.
