What is a jig in jewellery making?
By Jared James · Last updated 21 May 2026
Definition
A jig, in jewellery making, is a tool or template that guides a piece of metal or wire into a precise, repeatable shape, allowing a jeweller to produce multiple identical components efficiently. Jigs can be as simple as a series of pegs set in a board for winding wire coils, or as precise as a machined metal form for bending prongs or shaping ring shanks. They are essential in production settings where consistency across a batch of pieces matters, and also useful for individual craftspeople who need to repeat a complex form accurately.
Frequently asked questions
- What kinds of jigs do jewellers use?
- Wire jigs with movable pegs are used to create consistent coils, loops and bent shapes in wire for earrings, chains and links. Setting jigs hold work at a fixed angle for stone-setting work. Ring mandrels and forming blocks can also serve as jigs when a specific curve or diameter needs to be reproduced exactly.
- Can a beginner use a jig?
- Yes, jigs are particularly helpful for beginners because they take some of the guesswork out of forming consistent shapes. A basic wire jig is one of the first tools many jewellery students are introduced to, and it makes producing identical jump rings or ear wire shapes much easier than trying to copy a shape freehand.
- Is a jig the same as a mould in jewellery?
- Not quite. A mould shapes a piece by containing molten or soft material in a defined cavity, as in casting. A jig guides the bending and shaping of already-solid material like wire or sheet metal, acting as a template or guide rather than a containing form.
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