Looking for the best UV resin for jewelry?
Great!
In this LearningJewelry.com guide, you’ll learn:
- What differentiates UV resins for jewelry from other types
- How long UV resin takes to cure
- What to look for in the best quality UV resins
- And much more!
Below is a quick list of all my top picks. Keep scrolling to learn more about my best buying tips and tricks.
Product | Details | ||
---|---|---|---|
1. LIMINO UV Resin Hard Transparent Glue & Coating | EDITOR'S CHOICE |
Best in Quality & Consistency
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2. DecorRom Crystal Clear Hard Glue UV Curing Resin | BEST HIGH-END |
100% Money Back Guarantee
|
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3. Joligel UV Crystal Clear Resin | BEST BUDGET |
Glassy Finish
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4. Miraclekoo UV Resin UV Curing Hard Resin | BEST TRANSPARENCY |
Crytal Clear Resin
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5. VidaRosa UV Resin Crystal Clear | BEST QUALITY |
Multipurpose
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Our Overall #1 Rated Pick
Updated On August 30, 2024
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- Great packaging
- High-quality material
- Yellowing resistant
Out of all of the UV Resin for jewelry, LIMINO UV Resin Hard Transparent Glue & Coating was my favorite.
Why?
The UV resin is a great choice and even before you open its well-packaged box, you’ll know that you’re getting quality resin. It is thick and the hard type resin which will cure in a hard and glassy texture in a matter of minutes.
You can use this resin for your jewelry craft ideas and bezel settings without fear of stickiness. The resin can cure in any UV source as well as sunlight conditions. It is yellowing and water-resistant too so you’d expect your craft to last a while.
Top 5 Best UV Resin For Jewelry
Best UV Resin For Jewelry Reviewed
The ready to use UV resin is transparent and only takes minutes to cure under sunlight or 36W UV light.
It is made from non-toxic materials and even the small odor it produces before curing is completely harmless.
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This UV resin is the hard type which makes it a suitable piece for most jewelry resin crafts.
It also has an awesome consistency, zero tackiness, and dries hard. The UV resin comes in decent packaging with colorful prints.
Pros
- Non-toxic
- Great yellowing resistance
- Very hard after curing
Cons
- Shrinkage
The Joligel UV Crystal Clear Resin is solvent-free and considering its non-toxic nature, it is a safe resin for all your jewelry uses.
It cures fast (esp. In UV conditions) and in a couple of minutes, the resin is hard and glassy.
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There is no need to mix or measure using a hardener. The resin has a thick material and does not crack with time. You can even use the resin as a sealant!
Pros
- Solvent-free material
- Leaves a smooth surface
Cons
- Sticky after use
- May take longer to cure
The DecorRom is yet another UV resin that’s easy to use and safe for children of all ages.
And that's because...
It is made from a 100% waterproof material that allows long-lasting DIY crafts.
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Under UV light, it takes about 2 minutes to cure, while it takes 20 minutes to 1hr curing time when exposed to direct sunlight.
This piece is also ready to use and doesn’t need mixing like AB epoxy resins. Plus, the company really backs its efforts to maintain standard quality as it has a 100% money-back guarantee.
Pros
- Multipurpose
- Water and yellowing resistant
Cons
- Takes long to dry in sunlight
This UV resin is a perfect choice for jewelry making and related products like casting, bezel setting, crafts decoration, and resin art.
It is made of a high-quality resin that’s safe to use and non-toxic.
As usual...
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You can expect a little pungent smell once opened, but it will soon go away once you break the windows open. If the smell is too uncomfy, a face mask will do the trick.
This resin color is crystal clear and its glassy finish is both scratch-resistant, yellow resistant, and stain tolerant. This probably increases its shelf life.
It cures incredibly fast under UV torch, though sunlight exposure will also cure the UV resin. As seen in most reviews on Amazon, this particular UV resin has a lower shrinkage ratio than other alternatives.
Pros
- Less shrinkage
- Glossy finish
- Yellowing resistant
Cons
- Issue with consistency
- Sometimes cures with a sticky surface
The instant cure UV resin cures faster under UV exposure but will also cure with sunlight.
It’s widely used in jewelry crafting and a bunch of other fun crafts, like decorations, coating, and resin casting.
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You can also mix the UV epoxy resin with other pigments to achieve color. The resin material is clear and rarely produces any bubbles. The material is also safe to use and can be removed easily with soap and water or rubbing alcohol.
Pros
- Cures hard
- Mixes well with other pigments
- Easy to wash off
Cons
- Lacks consistency
- Manufacturer uses oversized bottles
What Is UV Resin For Jewelry?
First off, resins are natural elements excreted by some plant species or sometimes created in a lab. They are insoluble in water and quite viscous making them suitable for a number of uses including jewelry crafting.
They serve similar, yet distinct purposes from glue for jewelry that we'll discuss more in a sec...
Ultra Violet or "UV" resin is an advanced type of resin that is cured when exposed to ultraviolet rays. They are cured in a short period of time using ultraviolet radiation.
Jewelry casting with UV resins can help you make almost any type of jewelry:
- Rings
- Bracelets
- Cufflinks
- Tie Pins
- Key fob
- Earrings
Are UV Resin For Jewelry Expensive Or Cheap?
UV resins are relatively cheap and affordable for anyone determined to craft their jewelry. They often come in 120, 200, and 500 grams bottles, and depending on the size of your project, even the largest bottle shouldn’t cost you much.
However, if you compare UV resins with other types like the 2-part epoxy resin, UV costs a little more. But as we’ll see later on, UV resins for jewelry have better usage benefits than other types.
Read Also: What are the top jewelry boxes for necklaces?
What Should You Look For In The Best UV Resin For Jewelry?
A good quality UV resin is not only clear but also other features that ease your jewelry-making projects. Here are a few considerations to look at when choosing the best UV resin for your jewelry:
Curing Time For UV Resin
The exact time of the curing process will depend on many factors including the nature of your jewelry. Smaller jewelry items will take a shorter time to cure resin than large, bulky jewelry items.
Make sure you check the curing time for your UV resin before buying as it will show you how much time your project will take.
UV Curing Methods
Though UV resins cure with normal sunlight, they take a shorter time when exposed to UV light. But you’ll actually need a UV-generating device to cure your resin.
This means you’ll have to purchase suitable UV lamps, UV flashlights, or even nail curing lights along with your UV resin.
So consider the effectiveness of UV lamps in the curing process. Generally, a 4-watt UV lamp will do just fine and cure within 2-3 minutes. If you're unsure, you can google video tutorials that show the effectiveness of certain types of fast curing UV lamps.
The Types Of Resin
Though resins come in many types of UV, resins can be categorized into two main groups. Hard and soft UV resins, both of which come from a single category Cationic Epoxy UV resins.
Hard UV Resin
The hard type gets cured either under direct sunlight or ultraviolet light. It is quite useful in resin crafts and available in thin and thick textures. I’d go for the thinner type when using for mold applications, pigment mixing, or bezel filling.
Soft Resin
This type of UV resin also gets cured in both ultraviolet light and exposure to direct sunlight. It is flexible and can be used in a variety of crafty designs.
Despite the soft type UV resin being flexible, if you choose a thick texture you’ll lose its flexibility and it will be less bendable. To properly use the thick-textured resin, you should apply in thin layers.
UV Resin Kit
When looking for the best resin for your jewelry, you should also keep in mind the necessary kits that you'll need to assemble for your crafts. UV resin alone will not do the job!
For instance, you'll need a bunch of pre-made molds or bezels. Check whether the resin will work on silicone molds, resin molds, or in polymer clays.
Knowing the tools you need will help you choose the right UV epoxy resin for your resin jewelry making project.
Read Also: What are the best rings for men?
How Do You Clean UV Resin?
So, you’re done making your resin artwork and you’re wondering how to clear all the mess leftover in the working space? Don’t worry UV resins aren’t that hard to do away with.
However, before working on your resin jewelry crafts, you should first take note of the following:
- Always use hard plastic to mix your UV resins. UV resins don't stick to plastic.
- Always wear a pair of gloves before working on resins
Now, there are two ways you can clean up your UV resin mess:
Dry & Peel
This is an easy method and you’ll only require a wax paper, silicone mat, or a vinyl shower curtain for that matter. Grab a wax paper (or any of the above materials) and spread it on the working surface.
Place the container upside down such that any excess resin will fall on it. Let it dry for a few hours and remove the cured leftovers out of your mixing container.
Since your container is water-resistant, peel the resin from the inner container until everything is gone. Throw the excess peeling into the trash.
Rubbing Alcohol
Once you’re done with your resin DIY jewelry, wipe the container off with a soiled tissue paper immediately. Wipe as much resin as you can. Grab a piece of towel and soak a little acetone or rubbing alcohol.
Since alcohol is a strong solvent, the soaked towel will be able to remove any leftover residues. Repeat this process until you’re satisfied that everything is clean.
Our Top Pick: Limino Resin
LIMINO UV Resin is still our winner and probably the bestseller UV resin that’s efficient and convenient.
It cures almost instantly with its consistent thick epoxy material.
It is safe to use, odorless due to its degassing chemical reaction after curing. The clear UV glue can be used in wide applications such as jewelry making, coating, doming, and casting resin. It can be mixed with other different materials including mica powder, glitter, or colorants.