Ball closure rings and segment rings with a thickness of 1.6 mm or less are usually easy to open by hand. When you firmly grasp the ring and apply some pressure with your thumb and index finger, the ball or segment can be pushed out of the ring. Inserting it is done in a similar way, but of course the other way around. Place the ball or segment on one side between the ends of the ring and push it back into place with your thumb and index finger. Done!
Sounds easy, right? Of course we know that it is not always as easy as it seems... Sometimes it is a matter of practice, sometimes it is better to use a ring opener.
Ring openers are ideal for opening rings with a somewhat thicker thickness. But also when you have difficulty changing thinner rings, a ring opener can be very useful. A ring opener gives you that little bit of extra force to gently push open a piercing ring, with as little chance as possible of deforming your piercing jewelry. Most ring openers have a tapered end with a number of smooth recesses, so that you can open piercing rings of different diameters. When you squeeze the handles of the pliers, the end opens and your ball closure ring or segment ring is opened very gradually. As long as you don't squeeze the opener like crazy, of course, so take it easy...
How do you use a ring opener?
Slide the ring onto the end of the ring opener. Gently squeeze the two handles, so that you put pressure on the inner diameter of the ring. Grab the ball or segment and continue squeezing the ring opener until you can carefully remove the ball or segment. Voilá, your piercing ring is open!
Oops! Squeezed too hard...
That can happen, of course. Especially if you open your rings more often with a ring opener, they can eventually become a bit looser around the middle piece. No worries, that's why we also have ring closures in our range. With a ring closure you can bend your piercing ring back - again with care - so that the ball or segment can be firmly clamped again. A ring closure has a slightly wider end with a neatly rounded and smoothly polished recess, which fits nicely around your piercing rings. By squeezing the two handles you can carefully bend the ball closure ring or segment ring a bit further closed.
How do you use a ring closure?
Open the piercing pliers slightly and place the piercing ring in one of the round recesses of the ring closure. Clamp the ring with the ring closure and carefully squeeze the two handles to close the piercing ring. You get the best result if you turn the ring a little every now and then, this way you prevent the ring from suddenly making a kink in one place. Of course, you don't have to squeeze a ball closure ring or segment ring all the way closed. Just close the ring far enough until you can clamp a segment or ball between it with a little force, that is more than enough.
Steel, brass, plastic tips, different sizes... help?
We have different types of ring openers and ring closers in our range, which of course all do their job perfectly. Some piercing tools are equipped with a brass or plastic tip. But what should you do with them? The reason for the coating on these ends is mainly to prevent damage to your piercing jewelry. Brass is a soft alloy that reduces the risk of damage. Just like the ring openers or ring closers with a plastic tip.
We also have ring openers and ring closers in various sizes in our shop. Of course, the small ring openers and closers are perfect for the thinner rings with a not too large diameter and for the heavier work you will be better served with a somewhat larger tool. The sizes are stated with the piercing tools, but if you have any questions about the best size choice, we will of course be happy to help you!
View our complete overview of ring openers and ring closers
Sounds easy, right? Of course we know that it is not always as easy as it seems... Sometimes it is a matter of practice, sometimes it is better to use a ring opener.
Ring openers are ideal for opening rings with a somewhat thicker thickness. But also when you have difficulty changing thinner rings, a ring opener can be very useful. A ring opener gives you that little bit of extra force to gently push open a piercing ring, with as little chance as possible of deforming your piercing jewelry. Most ring openers have a tapered end with a number of smooth recesses, so that you can open piercing rings of different diameters. When you squeeze the handles of the pliers, the end opens and your ball closure ring or segment ring is opened very gradually. As long as you don't squeeze the opener like crazy, of course, so take it easy...
How do you use a ring opener?
Slide the ring onto the end of the ring opener. Gently squeeze the two handles, so that you put pressure on the inner diameter of the ring. Grab the ball or segment and continue squeezing the ring opener until you can carefully remove the ball or segment. Voilá, your piercing ring is open!
Oops! Squeezed too hard...
That can happen, of course. Especially if you open your rings more often with a ring opener, they can eventually become a bit looser around the middle piece. No worries, that's why we also have ring closures in our range. With a ring closure you can bend your piercing ring back - again with care - so that the ball or segment can be firmly clamped again. A ring closure has a slightly wider end with a neatly rounded and smoothly polished recess, which fits nicely around your piercing rings. By squeezing the two handles you can carefully bend the ball closure ring or segment ring a bit further closed.
How do you use a ring closure?
Open the piercing pliers slightly and place the piercing ring in one of the round recesses of the ring closure. Clamp the ring with the ring closure and carefully squeeze the two handles to close the piercing ring. You get the best result if you turn the ring a little every now and then, this way you prevent the ring from suddenly making a kink in one place. Of course, you don't have to squeeze a ball closure ring or segment ring all the way closed. Just close the ring far enough until you can clamp a segment or ball between it with a little force, that is more than enough.
Steel, brass, plastic tips, different sizes... help?
We have different types of ring openers and ring closers in our range, which of course all do their job perfectly. Some piercing tools are equipped with a brass or plastic tip. But what should you do with them? The reason for the coating on these ends is mainly to prevent damage to your piercing jewelry. Brass is a soft alloy that reduces the risk of damage. Just like the ring openers or ring closers with a plastic tip.
We also have ring openers and ring closers in various sizes in our shop. Of course, the small ring openers and closers are perfect for the thinner rings with a not too large diameter and for the heavier work you will be better served with a somewhat larger tool. The sizes are stated with the piercing tools, but if you have any questions about the best size choice, we will of course be happy to help you!
View our complete overview of ring openers and ring closers
