With the many varieties of beading wire available it is easy for you to become overwhelmed. Finishes and materials include silver, gold, brass and copper. Plus variations of gold and silver, including sterling silver, silver-plated, gold-filled and gold-plated. Brass, craft wire and copper are most commonly packed in 10 to 40 yard spools, but the more expensive varieties of beading wire are commonly sold by the ounce or foot. Brass and copper are easier to manipulate so along with being a cheaper option are easier to practise with when starting out..
Hardness of beading wire
A wire’s temper or malleability can be best described by its hardness. Half-hard and dead-soft are the two main categories of sterling silver. Dead-soft is used when you want to bend the wire with your fingers. The half-hard wire is slightly stiffer and will hold it’s shape better. You will find that beading wire will harden as it is manipulated but you also have the option of hammering a piece, which will flatten the shape, if you want a more rigid piece.
The Shapes of Wire
Various shapes are available in all types of beading wire, shapes include round, half-round, twisted, square and triangle. The shape you choose will depend on the piece you are making and the style you want.
Scale of Wire gauge?
The gauge of the wire is usually the measure of diameter or thickness. Sizes 12 to 28 are the most common sizes used for beading and jewelry making. The lower the gauge number is the bigger the thickness of the wire will be.
28 Gauge Wire
Delicate applications like crochet or twining usually require this gauge or thinner due to them being delicate. If you have beads, gemstones or pearls with very small holes the this may be your only option for wire.
Gauge 24 – 26
This wire is commonly referred to as an ultra fine wire. Wire crochet, beaded flowers and wire wrapping as some of the uses for this type of wire. Alongside beading small gems, pearls and beads.
20 – 22 Gauge Wire
You can use many jewelry finding with this gauge wire so it is an all purpose wire. Also available in half-hard or dead soft.
Gauge 16 – 18
The medium thickness of this gauge wire makes it fairly sturdy.. This wire is regularly used to make clasps, large jump rings and chain mail132013201320.
Gauge 12 – 14
This wire is best for making wire shapes such as bangle bracelets and neck wires that are unsupported, it is only available in dead-soft hardness.
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