Jump rings question

[BonnieB]

Why is there a difference in price for oval jump rings than for round rings in the industry? Is it harder to make a oval jump ring?

[cwolf]

Oval jump ring are harder to make then round jump rings because you need an oval mandrel or some oval shape to wrap the wire around. You also need to control where you cut the oval jump ring. For a round jump ring you can use any easy to find round object, like a drill rod, nail, etc. and you can cut the round jump ring anywhere you want for the same result.

[Metalman]

Bonnie,
I spoke with our buyer and had a good comparison dig through our catalog.  I could not confirm the differential that oval jumps are more expensive then round jumps.
Sterling ovals- 3.5x3mm[R&T # 37-212] are $6.00 / 100
Sterling rounds - 3.6mm (closest size) [R&T 37-246] are $6.00 / 100.  It is tough to do this sort of comparison.  You need to consider the gauge of the wire and the size of the ring.  THen  account for the extra materials in the oval jump ring as compared to the round jump ring.  A last factor is that the volume of production of any given finding has an effect on the pricing.  THere is a much higher demand for round jumps- this makes them tend to be less expensive by the piece.  There is a small amount of additional work to make an oval jump as well.  Hope this helps.

[cwolf]

Sorry. I did not notice this was a question for staff.

[marym]

The more responses the better.  Thanks cwolf.

-Mary
R&T Marketing staff

[Todd]

cwolf, we don't mind you answering or anybody else answering questions. Actually we prefer other users to answer questions so that people get more ideas. '>

 And as Mary forgot to say, the more the merrier! '>

[BonnieB]

Thanks everone for your responses.