What is Resin Jewellery?
Resin jewellery has exploded in popularity over the past few years, and for good reason. It's accessible to beginners, incredibly versatile, and produces stunning results. Resin jewellery involves pouring liquid epoxy or UV resin into moulds, embedding objects like flowers, glitter, or beads, and allowing it to cure into a solid, glass-like finish.
What makes resin so special is that you can create unique, personalised pieces that reflect your style. Whether you're making delicate earrings for yourself or creating gift-quality pieces for loved ones, resin jewellery offers endless creative possibilities.
Epoxy vs UV Resin: Which Should You Choose?
| Feature | Epoxy Resin | UV Resin | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Curing Time | 24-48 hours | 2-5 minutes | Patience vs. speed |
| Cost | £10-20 per litre | £15-30 per bottle | Budget-conscious makers |
| Setup Required | Minimal | UV lamp needed (£20-100) | No extra equipment |
| Fumes | Moderate ventilation needed | Minimal fumes | Indoor crafting |
| Beginner Friendly | Our Pick | First-time makers | |
| Durability | Excellent (5+ years) | Very good (3-4 years) | Long-lasting jewellery |
"UV resin is my go-to for beginners. It cures in minutes, produces gorgeous results, and requires minimal equipment. Your first pieces will be wearable within hours, not days."
What You'll Need
Before you start, gather these essential materials. We've included links to quality products we recommend and use ourselves.
Crystal Clear UV Resin (100ml)
High-clarity, non-yellowing UV resin. Perfect for beginners. Includes mixing cup and applicator stick.
36W UV LED Nail Lamp
Dual UV/LED wavelength, timer function (10-30-60s), perfect for curing resin jewellery in minutes.
Silicone Mould Set (24 Shapes)
Includes earring, pendant, and bead moulds. Durable, reusable, and easy to demould your creations.
Mica Powder Pigment Set (12 Colours)
Non-toxic, resin-safe mica powders. Create stunning jewel tones and metallic finishes in your resin projects.
Other Essential Supplies
- Mixing containers: Small plastic or glass cups (disposable recommended)
- Stirring sticks: Wooden or plastic disposable sticks
- Protective equipment: Nitrile gloves and safety glasses
- Workspace protection: Disposable mat or old newspaper
- Embellishments: Dried flowers, glitter, beads, metal leaf, ink, or any non-porous decorative items
- Jewellery findings: Earring posts, hooks, chains, jump rings (available online or at craft shops)
- Finishing tools: Sandpaper (120-2000 grit), sanding block, and polishing cloth
Step-by-Step Guide
Prepare Your Workspace
Set up a clean, well-lit area away from children and pets. Lay down a protective mat or newspaper to catch any spills. UV resin can stain, so protect your surfaces. Gather all your materials within arm's reach—you'll want everything accessible once you start mixing.
Ensure your workspace is well-ventilated, even though UV resin produces minimal fumes. Having good lighting helps you see what you're doing and inspect your moulds for air bubbles.
Prepare Your Moulds
Silicone moulds are ideal for resin work. Before pouring, make sure your moulds are clean and completely dry. If using plastic moulds, test them first—not all plastics are resin-compatible (avoid polystyrene moulds).
Arrange your moulds on a level surface. If you're embedding objects like flowers or glitter, have them ready to place into the resin quickly, before it thickens.
Mix Your Resin
Pour the recommended amount of UV resin into your mixing cup. For most UV resins, no mixing with a hardener is needed—they cure under UV light alone. Check your specific product instructions, as some brands have different requirements.
If using pigments or dyes, add them now and stir gently for 1-2 minutes. Avoid vigorous stirring, which creates bubbles. Stir slowly and deliberately to combine colours evenly.
Add Embellishments
Pour a small amount of resin into your mould—about 1/3 full. Place your dried flowers, glitter, beads, or other embellishments into the resin. Work quickly but carefully, as the resin begins to set under any ambient light.
Use a toothpick or small stick to arrange items and push out trapped air bubbles. This step is crucial for creating visually appealing pieces.
Top Off with More Resin
Once you're happy with the placement of your embellishments, carefully pour more resin to fill the mould almost to the top. Leave a tiny gap (about 1mm) to allow for slight expansion during curing. This prevents overflow when you place the mould under the UV lamp.
Again, use a toothpick to pop any surface bubbles you see. This only takes a minute and makes a huge difference to your finished piece's clarity.
Cure Under UV Light
Place your filled moulds directly under your UV lamp. Most UV resins cure in 2-5 minutes under a 36W lamp, but check your product's specific curing time. Set the timer and step away—the resin will turn hard and glossy.
After the initial cure, allow pieces to rest for a few minutes before demoulding. This makes removal easier and reduces the risk of damage.
Demould Your Pieces
Gently flex your silicone moulds to release your resin creations. They should pop out easily. If they're stubborn, wait another minute and try again. Never force demoulding, as this can crack your piece.
Inspect your demoulded pieces for any rough edges, leftover mould residue, or imperfections. These will be addressed in the finishing stage.
Sand and Polish
Use 120-grit sandpaper to smooth any rough edges or mould marks. Sand gently in circular motions. Progress to higher grit sandpaper (400, 1000, 2000) for a smoother finish. The final 2000-grit sanding gives your jewellery a professional, glossy appearance.
After sanding, wipe with a damp cloth and allow to dry completely. Polish with a soft, lint-free cloth to restore the glass-like shine.
Attach Findings
Once your resin piece is finished, attach jewellery findings (earring posts, hooks, chains, etc.) using strong, resin-compatible adhesive or jewellery-grade epoxy. Some makers drill small holes for secure attachment using metal bails or jump rings.
Allow adhesive to cure fully (usually 24 hours) before wearing or gifting your creation.
Pro Tips for Beginners
- Start small: Begin with simple, small moulds. Earrings are more forgiving than large pendants.
- Dry your embellishments: Moisture is resin's enemy. Ensure all flowers and decorative items are completely dry before embedding.
- Use mica powder gradually: A little goes a long way. Add pigment in small amounts and mix thoroughly to avoid over-colouring.
- Avoid bubble traps: Tilt your moulds gently as you pour to allow air bubbles to escape naturally.
- Keep a toothpick handy: Use it throughout the process to manipulate embellishments and pop surface bubbles.
- Cure time matters: Under-curing results in tacky pieces; over-curing won't harm the resin but wastes UV lamp time.
- Label your creations: Keep notes on ratios, colours, and timing so you can replicate successful batches.
- Invest in quality moulds: Cheap moulds often have imperfections that transfer to your finished pieces.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Pouring Resin Into Wet Moulds
Even a tiny amount of moisture can cause cloudiness, cracks, or adhesion problems. Always ensure silicone moulds are bone dry. Store them in a dry place and allow them to air-dry for at least an hour after cleaning.
2. Overfilling Moulds
When you fill to the absolute top, resin overflows in the UV lamp, creating a mess and potentially damaging your lamp's interior. Leave a 1-2mm gap at the top of every mould—your pieces will still be full and polished pieces won't show the tiny flat top.
3. Ignoring Air Bubbles
Even tiny bubbles become visible flaws in your finished jewellery. Spend 2 minutes popping surface bubbles with a toothpick before curing. It's the difference between amateur and professional-looking pieces.
4. Using Non-Resin-Safe Embellishments
Paper, untreated wood, and moisture-absorbing items don't work well in resin. Stick to dried flowers, beads, glitter, metal leaf, and resin-safe dyes. Test any questionable item in a clear resin sample first.
5. Rushing the Finishing Process
Don't skip sanding and polishing. This is what transforms a mediocre piece into something you're genuinely proud to wear or gift. Those final grits of sandpaper and a good polish make all the difference.
6. Storing Resin Incorrectly
Keep UV resin in a cool, dark place away from sunlight. UV rays will cure it in the bottle if left in direct light. A kitchen cupboard or drawer is ideal. Check your resin's expiration date—old resin may not cure properly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fresh flowers contain moisture and will rot or turn brown inside resin. Always use dried flowers. You can dry your own by hanging them upside down in a dark, dry place for 2-3 weeks, or purchase pre-dried flowers from craft suppliers. Pressed flowers also work beautifully.
Properly cured resin jewellery lasts for years—many wearers report their pieces lasting 3-5+ years with normal use. UV resin may yellow slightly over many years if exposed to intense, prolonged sunlight, but this is cosmetic and doesn't affect durability. Epoxy resin is even more stable over time.
Fully cured resin is non-toxic and safe to wear. The liquid resin before curing should be handled with care—wear gloves and avoid skin contact. Always work in a well-ventilated space. Once fully cured (either by UV light or epoxy hardening), resin poses no health risk and is absolutely safe for daily wear.
Water-based acrylic paint doesn't mix well with resin and can cause cloudiness or separation. Stick to resin-specific dyes and pigments, alcohol inks, or oil-based paints. Mica powders are your best bet for beautiful, even colour that blends smoothly into the resin.
Most resin works best between 18-24°C (65-75°F). Colder temperatures slow curing; warmer temperatures speed it up. Avoid extreme heat, which can cause bubbles to form in your resin. Keep your workspace at comfortable room temperature and you'll have the best results.
You can start for under £50. A 100ml bottle of UV resin (£12-15), silicone moulds (£8), UV lamp (£20), and basic supplies (£5-10) total around £45-50. This kit makes dozens of pieces before needing replacement resin. It's one of the most cost-effective craft hobbies to begin.