Ear wires are the jewelry making findings that are used to connect a beautiful earring body to the wearer's ear. Ear wires are essential when making earrings; they are generally silver, gold and copper. There is also silver and gold plated, as well as, gold filled. The 22 gauge is the size which is most used in ear wires.

The ear wires are inexpensive to manufacture and are sold in bulk. Ear wires can also be made by hand, and this could be a way to distinguish your work from a manufactured earring. There are many books and websites which contain instructions for different patterns of ear wires.

Zip Lock Bags

Small zip lock bags are also considered jewelry making findings. Plastic zip lock bags or small fabric pouches are items which must be considered when selling your jewelry or keeping it safe. Oils and everyday pollution will harm your jewelry making findings and, therefore, must be kept in containers before and after they are made into jewelry.

Sizes of these bags depend upon your necklace, bracelet and earring projects. But jewelry making findings must always include small bags of some capacity.

Clasps

Toggle clasps, jump rings, lobster clasps, S clasps and magnetic clasps are all examples of jewelry making findings. These are all necessary components to make any necklace or bracelet work. Your beads or crystals, wire or chains and clasps is all that it takes to make a spectacular necklace or bracelet. But your findings are absolutely essential in the making of these necklaces and bracelets.

There are many more examples, but the ones that are listed above are the essential pieces. When researching for jewelry making findings, look for quality first. In jewelry making findings you really do get more 'bang for your buck'.

Spend a little more for your findings and your customers will turn into repeat customers and you won't turn into a jewelry repair business. When all is said and done, jewelry making findings can literally make or break your jewelry making projects.

written by Ann Marier