Best Resin to Use for Making Resin Jewelry

TL;DR: This blog explores different types of resin used for jewelry making, highlighting their benefits and limitations to help crafters choose the best option for their projects.

• Benefits of Using Resin:
  • Versatility
  • Durability
  • Aesthetic Appeal
  • Cost-Effectiveness
  • Ease of Use
• Types of Resin:
  • Epoxy Resin: Known for its clarity and durability, but requires mixing and has longer curing times.
  • UV Resin: Cures quickly under UV light, convenient for rapid projects, though more expensive.
  • Acrylic Resin: Offers excellent clarity and UV resistance, suitable for high-quality pieces.

Gold, silver, jewels, stones…there are so many materials that can be used to make beautiful, one-of-a-kind jewelry.

One material known for its versatility and durability is resin. Its appeal lies in its ability to encapsulate objects, create mesmerizing effects with colors and glitters, and its exceptional clarity and gloss that elevate the aesthetic of any design.

Of course, even among resin, there are many types to choose from. Understanding the differences between these varieties can help ensure you’re picking the best option for making resin jewelry.

Benefits of Using Resin for Jewelry Projects

At KeepsakeMom, we pride ourselves on using only the highest quality clear acrylic resin for our creations. This allows us to create pieces that are both stunning and durable. Many artisans also use resin for jewelry making because it is:

• Versatile: Resin provides endless creative possibilities for jewelry makers. It’s easy to incorporate materials from dried flowers and glitter to personal keepsakes like a lock of hair or dried breast milk.
• Durable: Resin is known for its strength and resistance to wear and tear. This makes it ideal for everyday jewelry.
• Aesthetically Pleasing: When cured, resin offers a high-gloss finish that enhances the overall look of the jewelry. This glass-like finish offers a luxurious look at a fraction of the cost of real glass or gems.
• Cost-Effective: Speaking of cost, making resin jewelry is typically more affordable than using metals and gemstones.
• Easy to Use: Many resin types, especially UV resin, cure quickly and don’t require professional tools. All you need is a resin kit to get started with resin jewelry making at home!

Types of Resin for Jewelry Making

So, which is the best type of resin for jewelry making? That ultimately depends on what exactly you’re making.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the common types of resin used for jewelry making and how they compare.

Epoxy Resin

Epoxy resin is a two-component system consisting of a resin and a hardener that need to be mixed together before use. It undergoes a chemical reaction when the two parts are combined, resulting in a hard, durable plastic once fully cured.

Epoxy resin for jewelry making is popular because it’s easy to use and incredibly transparent.

Pros:

• Clarity: Epoxy resin is highly transparent, making it ideal for projects where a clear finish is desired.
• Strength: It forms a very hard and durable surface, resistant to impact and wear. This is perfect for jewelry that needs to withstand regular use.
• Longer Working Time: The longer curing time allows more flexibility during the crafting process. So, you have plenty of time to arrange or embed objects within the resin without rushing.

Cons:

• Longer Curing Times: If you want quick results, epoxy shouldn’t be your first choice. It can take several hours to days for epoxy resin to fully cure.
• Potential for Yellowing: Over time, epoxy resin can develop a yellow tint, especially when exposed to UV light. This can ultimately affect the aesthetics of the jewelry.

The best epoxy resin for jewelry making can be used for intricate and detailed designs. Its exceptional clarity also makes it a great choice for encapsulating sentimental items in a jewelry piece.

UV Resin

Another popular choice is UV resin. This is a one-part system that requires no mixing and cures rapidly when exposed to ultraviolet light. It is a type of acrylic resin that remains liquid until it’s exposed to UV radiation, which triggers a photochemical reaction, causing the resin to harden quickly.

Pros:

• Fast Curing: UV resin cures within minutes under UV light, making it incredibly efficient for quick crafting sessions.
• No Need for Mixing: Since it’s a one-part resin, there’s no need to measure or mix resin with a hardener. This simplifies the process from start to finish.

Cons:

• Higher Cost: UV resin is generally more expensive than other types of resin.
• Limited Work Time: The quick curing time means less time to work with the material, which can be a challenge for complex projects or when precision is required.
• Materials: You will need a UV lamp or light to set your resin molds.

As you can imagine, UV resin is better suited for small projects that need to be completed quickly. It can also be used to coat or add a protective layer over other materials.

Acrylic Resin

Acrylic resin, often used in the form of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), is a thermoplastic that comes in both liquid and solid forms. This means it can be used like other resins in jewelry making.

Pros:

• Excellent Clarity and Gloss: Acrylic resin provides a glass-like transparency and high gloss finish. It offers an unmatched clear and brilliant look.
• UV Resistance: Unlike some resins, acrylic is highly resistant to yellowing from UV exposure. This helps it maintain its clarity over time, even when exposed to sunlight.
• Durability: It is less prone to scratching compared to other plastics and resins, and it holds up well under environmental stress.

Cons:

• Brittleness: While durable, acrylic resin can be more brittle than epoxy or polyester resin.
• Potential Toxicity When Curing: When curing, acrylic resin can release potent fumes that may be harmful if inhaled without proper ventilation. When jewelry making with resin, it’s always important to have proper ventilation.

Acrylic resin is perfect for creating stunning yet durable pieces of jewelry. This is why we use high-quality acrylic resin to turn your breast milk into a sentimental stone. Your powdered milk is blended with clear resin and cast in a silicone mold with added inclusions to create your very own keepsake.

See how we make our breastmilk jewelry at KeepsakeMom. If you’re feeling crafty, try our DIY breastmilk jewelry kit!