Small gauge captive bead rings (18G, 16G, plus 14G rings with an inner diameter 11mm and larger) are easy to manipulate by hand, no tools necessary! You may need the help of your piercer for jewelry thicker than 14 gauge (and 14G rings smaller than 11mm) if you aren't familiar with using captive bead rings. A traditional captive bead ring (CBR) uses a ball and the ends of the hoop rest in small dimples on either side of the ball. My captive rings use a coil on the back of the design that is made specific to the gauge that you order. 

• Captive beads are held in with tension. The gap in the hoop is supposed to be adjusted slightly smaller than the length of the coil (or the dimpled bead if you're using a traditional CBR). The gap between the ends of the hoop is intentional, the ends of the hoop are not supposed to touch. 
• Don't use tools to open/close small gauge captive rings (18G, 16G, and 14G). You will distort the shape of your hoop, just use your hands to adjust the opening width.
• Don't pull the captive bead forcefully out of the opening of the hoop. Doing so can hurt your bead and deform the hoop.
• To remove the bead, hold one side of the hoop and push or pull the bead towards the opposite side of the opening. You are not pulling the bead vertically, you're pushing/pulling it horizontally so that the bead slightly widens the gap in the hoop. This will release the tension on the bead and you can then lift it out of the hoop. 
• To replace the bead, line up one end of the hoop with one side of the coil (or dimple) and repeat the same motion in reverse so you can pop the bead back into place. 
• Is the bead too loose or falling forward easily? Remove the bead from the hoop, adjust the opening smaller, then put the bead back. Don't adjust the opening width while you're wearing the hoop. When the hoop is properly adjusted, the bead will still be able to rotate if you intentionally try to move it. This is not a design flaw or a problem with your hoop! 
• Having trouble keeping the design centered? Try using two o-rings on the hoop, one on either side of your piercing.
• Silver beads will tarnish over time. Use a silver polishing pad (or cloth) to restore the shine, and always store beads in a bag with an anti-tarnish tab when they aren't being worn. Your package contains a small polishing pad square (white) and an anti-tarnish tab (black) if you ordered a silver captive bead. You can use 1500 grit sandpaper on the front side of the bead (never the hoop) to restore the brushed finish if needed after polishing. 

If you're still not sure how to use your hoop, try watching these videos demonstrating how to use captive bead rings (just remember, you don't need tools to open/close small gauge captive rings):

(Quick Note: The inner diameter is not the inside circumference of the ring🙂 The inner diameter is the horizontal measurement, in a straight line, taken from one inside edge of the hoop to the other inside edge of the hoop.)