Aluminum jump rings for chainmail
How to choose aluminum jump rings for chainmail.
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Most people who search for aluminum jump rings for chainmail want to start a bracelet this weekend and do not want to guess at sizes. Aluminum is the right metal for that. This page covers the choices that matter: finish, gauge, inside diameter, quantity, and what to check in a listing before you buy.
Anodized or bright
Bright aluminum is bare metal. It is the cheapest option and the easiest to find. It is soft enough that a mistake costs you little, but it can leave a grey mark on your fingers and scuffs easily.
Anodized aluminum has a sealed oxide layer, dyed in colour. It resists rubbing off far better than paint, so it is the usual choice for coloured bracelets and scale mail pouches. Heavy wear, and any plier with rough jaws, can scratch through to bare metal, so use smooth-jawed pliers (see pliers and jigs).
Anodised colour sits on the surface of every ring, so closing a ring with a tight squeeze scuffs the seam first. Buy a few spare rings of each colour.
Which gauge and inside diameter
For a first project, pick one of these two sizes. Both give an aspect ratio near 3.9, which is right for European 4-in-1 (see aspect ratio explained).
| Gauge | Wire diameter | Inside diameter | Aspect ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 SWG | 1.626 mm | 1/4 inch (6.35 mm) | 3.9 |
| 18 SWG | 1.219 mm | 3/16 inch (4.76 mm) | 3.9 |
16 SWG feels sturdier and is easier to handle. 18 SWG gives a finer, lighter bracelet. If you are choosing between gauge systems, read SWG versus AWG first, because the same number means a different wire in each. The full table is in the wire gauge chart.
Larger scale work, such as a scale mail pouch, usually uses 16 SWG at 5/16 inch (aspect ratio 4.9). The scale mail calculator works out how many rings a build needs.
How many rings to buy
A bracelet needs a couple of hundred rings, half of them open and half closed in the way you work them. Buy 300 to 500 so you have spares for rings you bend out of shape. Working out a bigger piece is covered in how many rings in a shirt.
What the listing must say
- Gauge, and which system. SWG or AWG. A listing that only says "thick" is not worth the risk.
- Inside diameter in inches or millimetres. Not "small" or "medium".
- Open or closed. Most jump rings arrive as open rings, cut and ready to work. You close them yourself, as explained in opening and closing jump rings.
- Quantity or weight. Rings are sold by count or by the pound. Compare like with like.
- One size per bag. Mixed sizes make a weave uneven.
If the seller does not state the gauge and inside diameter, look at the reviews for anyone who measured, or pick another listing.
Common problems
Rings that will not close flush. Usually rings that are too thick for the pliers, or pliers with serrated jaws. Aluminum is soft, so close each ring past the point where the ends meet, then let it relax.
Colour mismatch between bags. Anodised dye varies between batches. If a project needs a lot of one colour, buy it in one order.
Rings too small for the weave. If your weave feels crushed, the aspect ratio is too low. Move up one inside diameter. The aspect ratio calculator runs the numbers.
Where to look
Search by the specification, not the brand. Terms like anodized aluminum jump rings 16 gauge, bright aluminum jump rings 18 gauge and aluminum jump rings 1/4 inch inside diameter bring up current options. To compare metals before you commit, see metals compared. These links go to Amazon and earn a commission; see the affiliate disclosure.
Questions
Are aluminum jump rings good for chainmail?
Yes. Aluminum is light, soft and cheap, which makes it the standard choice for a first project, bracelets, and scale mail pouches. It is not strong enough for protective armour.
What size aluminum jump rings should I buy for a bracelet?
16 SWG at 1/4 inch inside diameter or 18 SWG at 3/16 inch. Both give an aspect ratio near 3.9, which suits European 4-in-1.
Will anodized aluminum rings rub off on my skin?
Anodising is a sealed finish and is much less likely to mark skin than bare aluminum. Heavy wear or rough pliers can scratch through to the metal underneath.
Can I use ordinary craft jump rings for chainmail?
Often yes, if the gauge and inside diameter give a suitable aspect ratio and the rings are thick enough to hold their shape. Many jewellery jump rings are thin, so check the gauge in the listing.