The Jewelry Making Quiz

By: Kristin Tolentino
Estimated Completion Time
3 min
The Jewelry Making Quiz
Image: Hans-Martens / E+ / Getty Images

About This Quiz

The world of jewelry making is fascinating. After all, with so many supplies and methods to choose from, it's possible to make jewelry out of your wildest dreams. This is especially true if you know multiple techniques, such as beading, wire wrapping and metalsmithing. But how good is your jewelry making knowledge, really? You can find out with this gem of a quiz.

Maybe you love making necklaces with wire-wrapped gemstone pendants. Or, perhaps you love sitting at a jeweler's bench and soldering different metals together. Regardless of your jewelry making style, you can be sure that this quiz will challenge your know-how. There's a little bit of everything in this challenging test.

We'll ask you questions about different types of jewelry making methods, tools, and equipment. We'll also cover topics like shapes and styles of wire, beads and charms. You might even learn some new facts along the way. Most importantly, you no longer have to wonder about your jewelry making expertise. After taking this quiz, the answer will be crystal clear. Let's get started!

You can buy jewelry wire in different thicknesses. What is the measurement of this thickness called?
Weight
Height
Gauge
Length
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The gauge is the thickness, or diameter, of wire. The smaller the gauge number, the thicker the wire. For example, 10 gauge wire is thicker than 20 gauge wire.

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Which jewelry finding is used to connect two components, like a charm and a chain?
Ear hook
Seed bead
Jump ring
Crimp bead
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Jump rings are metal circles that bend open and closed. They're available in a wide range of sizes and metals, like copper, silver, and gold. You can even make your own jump rings with wire.

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If you want to hold delicate beads in place, what should you place in between them?
Stopper beads
Cabochons
Bead caps
Cord ends
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Stopper beads are tiny rubber beads that help other beads stay put. They also prevent delicate beads from scratching each other. Because they're made of rubber, stopper beads are less likely to move around on cord or wire.

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You just made a ring with memory wire. How can you secure the ends?
Add more wire.
Tie a knot.
Make a loop with round-nosed pliers.
Leave it alone
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Once you've added beads to memory wire, you'll need to bend the wire into a loop. This will stop the beads from sliding off. You can also glue the last bead in place.

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What is a polished and shaped gemstone called?
Toggle clasp
Lobster clasp
Cabochon
Tassel
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A cabochon is usually made of gemstone, but it can be made of glass or synthetic material, too. To use a cabochon, you have to place it in a metal piece called a cabochon setting.

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You need to connect the ends of a bracelet or necklace. What should you use?
Head pin
Clasp
Eye pin
Bezel cup
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A clasp allows you to put on and take off necklaces and bracelets. There are many types of clasps, including box clasps, lobster clasps, magnetic clasps and toggle clasps.

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This wire is made of metal strands coated with nylon. What is it called?
Tiger tail
Memory
Bezel
Knitted
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Tiger tail wire is flexible yet strong, so it's great for making jewelry that will be worn often. Usually, tiger tail made of seven strands of wire, but different brands might use more or less.

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Which tool is useful for knotting silk and nylon cord?
Hammer
Jump ring maker
Wire cutters
Beading awl
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you like to work with delicate silk or nylon cord, a beading awl will be very useful. This handy tool is used to make and adjust small knots. It's useful for undoing knots, too.

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Let's say you just made earring studs. Which findings will secure the earrings on your ears?
Earnuts
Toggle clasps
Cabochon
Crimp beads
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Earnuts are available in metal, plastic and rubber. These tiny pieces, which are also known as earring backs, keep earrings in your ears. It's easy to lose earnuts, but luckily, they're also very inexpensive.

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Picking up stones can be tricky. What tool can help?
Scissors
Tweezers
Wire cutters
Mandrel
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Tweezers aren't just for your brows! Jewelry tweezers have shaped ends that make it easy to pick up tiny pieces. The ends might be pointy, bent, or curved.

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What is a soft metal bead that's used in place of knots?
Crimp
Seed
Pearl
Bugle
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you're adding beads to wire, you won't be able to tie a knot. A crimp bead will save the day! This soft metal bead can be easily squeezed, or crimped, with flat-nosed pliers.

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This coiled wire looks like a Slinky. What is it called?
Tiger tail
French
Dead soft
Memory
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Memory wire is coiled wire that holds a round or oval shape. It's often used for rings, bracelets, choker necklaces and wine charms. Memory wire is available in different sizes and types of metal.

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Which type of chain is made of tiny round spheres?
Ball
Rolo
Figaro
Cable
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Ball chain is unique because it isn't made of open links. Instead, it's made of tiny metal balls that are attached to each other. Sometimes, ball chain is called bead chain.

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What is a fancy word for a teardrop or pear-shaped bead?
Cone
Briolette
Brick
Pyramid
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Briolette is a type of bead shape. Briolette beads are sometimes called faceted teardrop or faceted pear beads. Usually, the hole is drilled across the top.

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If you want to make a mold out of wax, what technique do you need to do?
Casting
Crimping
Soldering
Weaving
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When you cast a mold with wax, you form the wax into a certain shape. This forms an indent in the wax. After the wax is heated and set, you can pour metal into the indent and make pieces that all look the same.

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A friend asks you to make a pair of beaded dangling earrings. Which of these supplies isn't necessary?
Jump ring
Head pins
Earring hooks
Toggle clasp
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A toggle clasp is a finding that's used to join the ends of bracelets and earrings. So, you won't need it for a pair of earrings. However, you can add beads to a head pin then attached it an earring hook with a jump ring.

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This hollow bead has an intricate lace-like design. What is it called?
Crescent
Faceted
Corrugated
Filigree
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Filigree beads are usually made with metal or plastic. The beads are hollow and have a unique pattern that looks like lace. Like other beads, filigree beads are available in different types of colors.

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If you want to attach two metal pieces together, what technique should you use?
Crimping
Soldering
Antiquing
Carving
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Solder is a metal with a low melting point. It's used to "glue" metal pieces together, such as jump rings to pendants. When you use solder to connect metal components, the technique is called soldering.

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You've decided to bend wire into fun shapes. What tool do you need?
Wire cutter
Jump ring opener
Jeweler's saw
Wire jig
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A wire jig is a flat board with pegs. You can position the pegs based on a pattern. When you wrap the wire around the pegs, you'll end up with a fun shape. It's useful for making wire shapes that are consistent in shape and size.

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Your pendant has a carved portrait and is made of shell or stone. What is it called?
Cowry
Cameo
Cloisonne
Coil
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Generally, a cameo pendant has a carved portrait against a different-colored background. Cameos are usually oval and are placed in a metal setting. They have a delicate, vintage look.

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Which clasp consists of a bar and a loop?
Toggle
Lobster
Barrel
Box
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A toggle clasp is a two-piece finding that's used to connect the ends of necklaces and bracelets. It consists of a T-shaped bar that's inserted into an open loop.

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What is a flat disc-shaped bead with a large hole in the center?
Bugle
Drop
Briolette
Doughnut
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A doughnut bead looks like, well, a doughnut! It's usually made of wood, glass, or stone, but you can find it in another materials as well. Doughnut beads are often used as focal points in necklaces.

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In jewelry making, what is a third hand?
A special type of bracelet
A device that holds items while you work
A talent of experienced jewelry makers
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A third hand has fixtures that look like pliers. You can put an item in this hand, so it's useful if you need both hands to work on your project. Third hands are often used during soldering.

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What's another name for Brazilian chain?
Snake
Figaro
Curb
Ball
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Snake chain, or Brazilian chain, is smooth chain that's made of links that are tightly connected. The surface of snake chain is smooth and looks similar to snakeskin.

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It's time to work on a small piece of jewelry. Which device will help you see better?
Headband magnifier
Bench block
Jeweler's saw
Buffing wheel
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A headband magnifier is worn like a visor. It has an adjustable magnifier that's positioned right in front of your eyes. This device is useful for protecting your eyesight!

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What's the name of the tool that shines and polishes metal?
Buffing wheel
Third hand
Bench block
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A buffing wheel, or a polishing wheel, is used during the final step of polishing. It gives the finished piece a beautiful surface that's shiny and sparkling.

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Do you know what memory wire is made of?
Pure silver
Pure gold
Thread
Steel
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Usually, memory wire is made of stainless steel, which is why it can hold its shape. Sometimes, memory wire is made of carbon steel and coated with silver, gold or brass.

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Oops, your necklace is too short! What's the easiest way to add length?
Add another clasp.
Start over.
Add an extension chain.
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

An extension chain, or chain extender, is a short length of chain that's added to the end of a necklace or bracelet. This makes a piece adjustable and suitable for many sizes.

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If you need to make wire loops, what type of pliers should you use?
Crimping pliers
Round nose pliers
Split ring pliers
Nylon jaw pliers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Round nose pliers have round ends that are wide at the bottom and narrow at top. You can wrap wire around each tip to create a loop. If you have wire and a pair of round nose pliers, you can even make your own eye pins.

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What is a short length of wire with a loop at one end?
Eye pin
Crimp bead
Clasp
Tiger tail
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

An eye pin, or an eyepin, is a short piece of wire with a loop can be opened and closed. You can add beads to the eye pin and connect the loop to other components.

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Which wire gauge is the thickest?
22 gauge
18 gauge
12 gauge
26 gauge
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When it comes to wire gauge, the lower the number, the thicker the wire. In this case, 12 gauge is the thickest and the 26 gauge wire is the thinnest.

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This piece of wire has a flat end that stops beads from sliding off. What's it called?
Eye pin
Ear hook
Head pin
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A head pin is a short length of wire with a flat round piece of metal at the end. However, if you want something with more flair, you can buy or make head pins with decorative ends.

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What do you call a metal setting that holds a cabochon?
Cloissone
Toggle
Crimp
Bezel
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A bezel is a metal piece that has a raised outer border. It acts like a "frame" for a cabochon. Depending on the type of bezel, you fold over the border to secure the cabochon or simply glue the cabochon to the metal.

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Do know the purpose of a caliper in jewelry making?
It measures small pieces.
It flattens metal.
It cuts wire.
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A caliper has two tiny arms. One slides up, and the other slides down. This tool comes in handy when you need to measure small items like gemstones and metal findings.

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You should protect your eyes while making jewelry. What equipment will help you do this?
Polishing wheel
Third hand
Polishing cloth
Safety goggles
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Safety goggles will shield your eyes from bits and pieces of metal parts. It's especially important when you use techniques like soldering, hammering or cutting metal.

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