Jewelry Findings

"Findings" means all the little metal bits that are used to but jewelry and beadwork together. This includes clasps as well (they get their own page).

	Jump Rings and Split Rings   Jump rings and split rings are used to connect different parts of a piece of jewelry. For instance, to connect a clasp to a necklace you could use a jump ring. You could use a split ring to hang a pendent from a chain. Jump rings are a simple wire loop. To open them, push one end forward and one end back. If you enlarge the circle by prying the ends farther apart you will weaken the metal. Split rings are double wire rings (like a keychain) and are more secure than jump rings.
	Headpins   Headpins look like small thin nails. Put a few beads on a head pin, bend a loop in the top, and you have a dangle which can be made into an earring with the simple addition of an ear wire.
	Eyepins   Eyepins are just like headpins except instead of a head there is a loop. You can make these yourself out of wire - just cut a length and make a loop in one end. But if you want them super-straight you'll have to buy them.
	French Earwires   The classic earwire had a coil, a metal ball, and a loop that can be opened to attach to an earring. Earwires are available in different compositions and finishes, like gold filled, silver plated, brass, or steel. Choose a color that complements your earring design.
	Callottes/Beadtips   Callottes and bead tips are metal findings that cover the knot at the end of a string of beads. Callottes (also called clam shells) clamp sideways over the knot. Bead tips (also called knot covers) have holes between the two halves which the thread goes through. Tying the knot around a seed bead and adding a drop of glue or clear nail polish secures the knot. Close the bead tip with pliers and snip the excess thread.