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Here is the list for the best resin to use for resin jewelry making. If you want to try your hand at making your own resin jewelry then you will need to learn about what resin is best for jewelry .
There are many different resins to choose from out there for your resin jewelry projects. Each type of resin has different techniques and will give you different results. The three main resins for jewelry are epoxy resin, UV resin, & polyester resin.
We will explain each resin and how they work so you can choose what one you would like to try for making your own DIY resin jewelry.
Here are the best selling brands for making your own resin jewelry. We will discuss which epoxy resin brands are the best for different techniques like doming & adding dried flowers to your jewelry.
Also, there are different cure times and ratios of the hardener or catalyst, and this is what makes resin harden up. So even if you have used resin before, you always need to refer to the manufacturer's instructions on how to use their resin.
The best casting resin will give you a crystal clear jewelry piece that is very hard and durable which is why resin is popular among epoxy resin jewelry makers. Epoxy resin is super fun to make jewelry with and gives you plenty of time to work with your piece before it cures. If you work with epoxy resin, be sure to read the instructions carefully because some brands are mixed 1:1 with the resin and hardener and some brands have a different ratio.
This casting resin is one of the best to work with and is often used for resin jewelry. Resin Obsession has many different sizes of resin to choose from so if you are just getting started, they have small sizes all the way up to 1/12 gallon sizes for professional jewelry makers.
Watch this video to see exactly what you can make with this resin on the DIY Craft Club YouTube Channel. The full video with step by step instructions is at the bottom of this post.
Here is another epoxy resin for resin jewelry making. We have worked with ArtResin for many projects and this is one of our favorite epoxy resins to work with. This resin has a 1:1 ratio of resin to hardener.
ArtResin is high gloss so your jewelry pieces will turn out super clear and shiny. This resin is perfect for making domed jewelry pieces.
You can use this liquid resin for making jewelry in silicone resin jewelry molds, wood, pendant trays, and even free-form jewelry.
This is one of the best resins for making your own dried flower pendants. And if you want to try making glow in the dark jewelry, this epoxy resin is great for that too.
Hands down, Hippie Crafter is a casting resin brand that is perfect for making your own jewelry. This crystal clear jewelry resin has step by step instructions on how to work with it. It will give your pieces dazzling shine and dimension.
Whether you're a beginner or a pro, you'll love the results this resin gives.
This is another brand that we have worked closely with on projects and we just love their resin and other resin supplies. You can use these for all kinds of jewelry making and even incorporate gold leaf for resin. As far as resin supplies go, this brand is one of the best.
Artist Resin will produce a crystal-clear, glass-like finish that enhances and protects your artwork. The resin is VOC free, and highly UV resistant. This 1 gallon kit covers approximately 30 square feet.
This jewelry resin is very popular because it is easy to use and cures very hard. You can also use this resin for glow in the dark pieces because it incorporates pigments very well.
Although this resin does resist yellowing due to UV exposure, it is best kept away from sunlight because all epoxy resins will eventually yellow over time.
This resin made our best resins for jewelry list because it's super easy to use for making jewelry pendants and for embedding glitter or flowers into your epoxy resin jewelry pieces. You don't need to measure anything or wait for cure time which some jewelry makers really love.
You will get a crystal clear result for your jewelry with a glossy finish. This does have a bit of an odor but after it is cured it goes away quickly. You don't get as much product in each bottle like you would with the epoxy resin listed above but for smaller projects, adding accents or for practice, this resin is perfect.
UV resin cures quickly with a UV lamp so there is no waiting for curing. If you have never worked with resin before, we suggest trying a UV resin first. It's beginner friendly and does not require any measuring.
This type of resin is best used on smaller jewelry pieces. Like with all resins, it is a good idea to do some testing before jumping right into making your own jewelry. For example, if you are using a certain color of glitter or colorant for resin, after casting, the color may change. Also, during the curing process, this resin will shrink a bit so be aware of that.
With this kind of resin, you will need to pick up a UV light for curing.
Check prices for UV lights here on Amazon
A good size to try if you are just getting started. This doming resin will make jewelry & art pendants. A UV lamp is required when using this resin.
SIMPLE TO USE: Comes with a small tip, you could just simply open and squeeze the UV resin out, ready to use with superb transparency and excellent hard glassy finish.
You can cast almost anything into this resin like coins, shells, dried flowers and insects. We highly suggest practicing first before jumping right in and using your expensive supplies.
Polyester resin has many of the same applications as epoxy resin and UV resin and is commonly used for large projects like boat building, but can be used for jewelry projects as well. Jewelry makers use this resin because it gives a super clear jewelry piece when buffed.
And just as important, is that you can vary the cure time by adding more or less of the catalyst, unlike epoxy resin where you cannot vary the cure time.
If you are casting into deep resin molds then this might be a good choice for you. The hardener and resin ratio is not always 1:1 so be sure to check the manufacturer's directions thoroughly before casting your jewelry with this resin.
Polyester resin has a very strong odor that does not go away until fully cured. You might also need to sand off surfaces because sometimes it leaves a tacky surface.
Before using any kind of resin, take the time to research and carefully look at the safety data sheets before jumping into your jewelry making projects. Safety data sheets should be available on the manufacturer's website. Always follow the instructions from the manufacturer. Not all resins are mixed at the same ratio or temperature, and it is important to use resin safely.
Purchase Full Face Respirator PD 101 for resin
Read the article: Resin Safety Precautions
MORE HELPFUL ARTICLES
The Resin Supply Store on Amazon
Hi Christine,
We highly recommend using PPE when working with any resin, especially gloves (nitrile or vinyl) and a respirator mask that is N95 equivalent with organic vapor filters. The risk of not wearing the PPE is developing a sensitization to resin, which many resin artists believe is an “allergy” and can appear in the form of dermatitis on the skin, bronchial problems and more. Some resin artists never develop a sensitization to resin, and some develop it after only a few exposures. You never know how it will affect you personally. It is worth investing in this safety equipment when exposing your skin, eyes and lungs to these types of products. You can read more about resin safety here: https://diycraftclub.com/blogs/idea-room-1/epoxy-resin-safety-precautions
Wishing you the best of luck in your resin journey!
Do we have to wear full PPE with UV Resin?
Hi Shaziya, if your resin isn’t setting up properly it can be from a number of issues. It’s best to contact the manufacturer for questions related to your specific brand for the best possible answer and help. :)
Hi!. I am using polyester resin for jewelry making. Unfortunately I bought it by mistake . Bcoz I’m a beginner so I didn’t know much more about it. But when I use this my jewelry is not coming with good finishing.. It’s surface is not clear it is clammy.. I give it 2 days for curing.. And my room temperature is 32 degree Celsius.. But this not working. I’m very helpless.. Plzz help me.. Wht should I do for fine surface.. Plzz tell me 🙏🙏
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Anne Sherbert Deegan
April 18, 2023
I am wanting to completely coat thick cardboard game bits in resin. I saw video of someone’s results and it was amazing, but he was in Poland and didn’t list the product he used since it was local. What US available product would work best for painting on cardboard game bits? (dime and penny sized). I would paint one side, let dry for several days and then do other side. I don’t want something that is super watery where it would soak into the cardboard and make it look splotchy. TIA for advice.