Jewelry Tutorial: by Bobbi Maw Adding a Safety Chain

Have you ever lost a bracelet because it came unfastened and you didn’t know it? I have - you just about want to cry, don’t you? Do you have a favorite bracelet you don’t wear because you’re afraid to lose it? I’ve had one like that. How about a bracelet with a magnetic clasp that stuck to a grocery cart handle, and you didn’t know it? I’ve had that happen too. Well, no more - this short tutorial is for a very simple solution to those problems; written for beginners, but just as useful for non-beginners.


Materials suggested:
- One finished bracelet - can be wire wrapped; strung and finished with crimped ends, or even commercial made.
- About 1 ½ inches (3.8cm) chain
- 2 x 4-6mm jump rings

Tools needed:
- 2 pairs of pliers, either chain nose or flat nose.

For this tutorial, I’m using the crystal bracelet from one of my newest tutorials - Back to the Beginning - Beginner Crystal Bracelet - though this technique will work for any number of finished bracelet styles including most commercially made bracelets.

Start with two 4 to 6mm jump rings and about 1 ½ inches of delicate chain. You can use a longer piece of chain if you need to, just don’t get carried away.

Use two pairs of pliers, one in each hand; with the seam of the jump ring facing up, grasp the ring with a pair of pliers on either side of the ring.

Open the ring by turning the right side of the ring away from you, and the left side of the ring towards you. I’ve see some refer to it as twisting one side away, and one side towards you.

It doesn’t need to be completely “opened” - just enough room for the chain link, and where you are attaching it to your bracelet.

Put the left pliers down, but continue holding the ring with the right pliers. Slip the last link of one end of the chain onto the jump ring.

Then slip the ring into one of the openings on one end of the bracelet.

If the bracelet you’re attaching chain to has a clasp, there is probably a loop or ring of some sort on either side of the clasp you can use.

Let the bracelet hang on the jump ring while you pick up the second pair of pliers. Close the ring by reversing how you opened it. In my case, I turned the left side of the ring away from me, and the right side towards me. Jumplock makers tell you to wiggle the rings back and forth a bit, while you slightly push the two sides together. They actually click when they are together correctly. Before I let go of the ring, I still run my finger over the seam just to make sure.

 Now open the other jump ring, and thread it through the last link on the other end of the chain.

Attach the jump ring into the opening on the same side but opposite end of the bracelet. You want the chain to attach on the same sides of the bracelet, just at either ends. Don’t fasten the chain on the opposite side of the bracelet - the chain would always be under the hook and keep getting caught.

Close this second jump ring too. Really good jump rings have nearly invisible seams when closed properly.

Doesn’t that look sharp? And if it comes undone by accident, you’re less likely to lose it. You can if you want to, add a tiny lobster style clasp to one end of the chain, but fastening the clasp and/or lobster could be a bit of a pain. 

I personally don’t think it needs it. Open the bracelet, and just slip it over your hand and fasten it. Voila!

I hope you’ve enjoyed this tutorial. For any comments or questions, or if you need any help at all, don’t hesitate to contact me at bobbiwired [at] gmail [dot] com

Bobbi Maw.

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