pendants and earring settings that are just waiting to be set with your gemstones. I have written the following to help encourage you to try gemstone setting in your favorite casting.

The easy mount settings we use in our rings (the majority of them) are wonderful! You would need a smooth jawed (ridges would make marks in the metal) jewelers pliers to pull the prongs up to the side (girdle) of the gemstone working in an X pattern making sure the prongs are evenly spaced apart from each other. When this is done, you want to lightly press down on the top of the prong to where it lightly touches the stone. Do this again in an X pattern and do it slowly going around the stone several times tightening a little more each time. If you slide a piece of paper between the prong and the stone you need to adjust that prong a little more. I check if the stone is secure by tapping it lightly with my finger nail. If the stone moves, tighten the prongs a little more. A gem setters tool is great for setting prongs but they can be expensive (mine were $44) but a good investment if you plan on setting a lot of stones. Search ebay for Easy Mount Gemsetting Pliers and you might find some. I think I got my set of six jewelers pliers at a discount store for $10-12 dollars. A set of jewelers files and real fine sandpaper are good things to have on hand. Using a piece of soft leather between metal and pliers can help keep from marring the metal. Also a small piece of bees wax in the setting can help keep the stone from moving around and will clean out easily with hot water.
I wish someone would have told me:
It takes more than a few minutes to set prongs.

You don’t just set a prong, I now go around the setting several times slowly pressing down each prong little by little until they are right.

Don’t do this when you are tired!

Be gentle, you are pushing the prong tip to touch the stone, don’t push down on the stone or the other end will pop up. Too much tension on the stone can cause it to chip.

Always order prenotched prongs and note that not all prenotched are easy mounts.

Start out with a simple one stone ring that you could live without should it get messed up. I have ruined a few settings, chipped some stones and cried a few tears but now it is all worth it!
Now the good news! Easy mounts are usually ready for the stone and you just push the tip down. Once you master this, you will be a step above snap in jewelry! If you keep at it and don’t give up, you will be surprised that it does get easier.

I hope this helps, I just put everything in my own words–the way I wish I could have learned it! Most books I read on the subject just didn’t say enough and I really had to read between the lines and learn the hard way.

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In this guide we cover the following topics
How to attach split rings using split ring pliers or split ring tweezers
Are pliers better than tweezers?
How to choose the right size split ring for your bracelet or chain
How to attach split rings using split ring pliers or tweezers

Using split rings to securely attach your sterling silver charms to your charm bracelet or necklace is a snap when you use split ring pliers or tweezers. With the right tools you will not damage your fingernails trying to open the rings and you will not have to watch the little buggers go flying across the room as they snap shut and try to escape.

Step One:
You will need a split ring, split ring pliers or tweezers, and the item you will attach to the split ring. Remove any jump ring from your charm so the split ring will be the only link between the charm and the bracelet.

Step Two:
Open the pliers and slide the split ring on the longer arm of the tool. As you close the tool, make sure the pointed (curved) arm comes down between the coils of the split ring to separate them. Once you have a grip on the split ring, you can slide it around toward the open end so you can add your charm or bracelet to the ring.

Step Three:
Slide the object that you are attaching to the split ring onto the open end. Hold the object in your fingers and use flat nose pliers or fingertips to slide the split ring around to the other side, until the object and ring dangle freely. (Just like putting a key on a keyring)

Step Four:
Repeat steps 2 and 3 to attach the charm to your bracelet or chain. Open the other side of the split ring and repeat the process to attach the item to a charm bracelet. Opening each side of the split ring will help keep it from stretching out and losing its shape.

Are split ring pliers better than tweezers

Pliers and tweezers both work exactly the same. Tweezers are a low cost alternative to pliers but they truly work equally as well. The main difference is the grip. With pliers you grip the handles using your entire hand (in a “C” shape if you are left-handed and a backwards “C” shape if you are right handed). When using tweezers you use the thumb and index finger to press the tip of the tweezer together and open the split ring.

Choosing the right size sterling silver split ring for your bracelet

5mm Split Rings:

5mm sterling split rings are the softest and most likely to lose their shape if attached to a bracelet with large links. This size ring is best for the smallest bracelet links and small charms.

6mm Split rings:

6mm is the most common size. Most charms come with either a 6mm jump ring or a split ring. For medium weight charm bracelets 6mm rings will work well.

7mm & 7.3mm:

7mm and 7.3mm rings are best for charm bracelets with think chain links. 7mm and 7.3mm rings usually snap back to shape better the smaller sizes but if used on a small link bracelet the distance from the bracelet to the charm can appear too big. We recommend these split rings for thick, heavy chain links.
Please visit our eBay store for all your charm bracelet needs

We carry 10, 15, 25, 50 and 100-packs of each of the split ring sizes listed above as well as pliers, tweezers, polishing cloths, and over 3500 different sterling silver charm styles!

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JUMP RINGS
Open Jump Rings are not soldered closed. They generally come in light, medium or heavy. The following will give you an idea of the different types.

Light - Usually .020-.025 inches diameter (.645mm to .511mm) in wire thickness or 22 - 24 gauge
Medium - Usually .030 inches (.813mm) which is about 20 gauge
Heavy - This can range from .035 inches - .050 inches (1.29mm - .912mm) and 16 - 19 gauge

A lot of this depends on the manufacturer.

SPLIT RINGS

These are just like key chain rings but smaller. They are stronger than jump rings usually and are used heavily with charm bracelets as they are easier to take charms off and put new ones on than using jump rings.

(In Progress, more to come)
Please don’t forget to vote on our guide if you found it helpful.

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