Finish the piece with a drop of glue and crimp ends. This tiny chain is perfect for small, lightweight charms and beads. These tend to be on the thicker side, so you’ll need to check the diameter of the cord with the bead’s inner diameter hole size.Ī beautiful alternative to wire and cord is a stringing cable chain. These are finished slightly differently, using an end cap and a clasp. For more information, check out the details of each type below.Ī great alternative for people who suffer from metal allergies is to use satin or leather cords. You can also use a stringing chain and even satin and leather cords, which are especially useful if there is a known metal allergy. Also, do you want the finished piece to be draped or fir tight like a choker? Alternative Stringing Materialīeading wire isn’t the only option out there. For one, you’ll need to check the test strength of the stringing wire which can be found on the label or online. If you use heavier objects in your pieces, you’ll need to account for that in your beaded designs. Q: Will the components be light or heavy? Bead holes will gradually wear down the stringing wire, especially when they’re loose on the wire. The thicker the wire the stronger the piece and you also want the tightest fit possible. The smallest bead hole is as large of a wire diameter as you can go. The diameter of the bead hole is crucial when choosing the jewelry stringing wire. Q: What are the hole inner diameters on the beads?
If it’s for a bracelet, where wear and tear are common, flexibility is important so the bracelet doesn’t break off under daily use, in that case, 19 or 49 strand wire would be the best. These hold their shape like metal wire does. You cannot beat the draped look found in the 49 strand stringing wires.įor a choker or collar necklace, 7 strand necklaces are the best.
These are stronger and look more professional when hanging, plus 7 strand wire is prone to kinking, which can alter your design in an unpleasant way if it’s ever snagged. High-end designs that are using gold-filled or sterling silver components should use 19 or 49 strand stringing wire. Q: What findings will be used in your jewelry design? These can withstand daily wear and tear better than a 7 strand can.
Seven strand wires are economical and perfect for use in designs where stiffness is needed or for items rarely worn, but for strength and long-lasting beaded jewelry consider the higher strand counts. Q: Will the jewelry be worn daily or rarely? These questions can make a difference in your finished piece whether you are new at beading or an experienced one.
These questions are geared to make you think not only about the designing process and the finished product but also about the longevity of your next beaded creation. Reading Stringing Wire Labels Choosing the Right Beading Wireīefore starting a new beaded jewelry design there are several questions you should ask yourself about which beading wire you should use.
With your finished piece, do you want it to be affordable or are you aiming for a high-end professional look? Did you decide on the crimp type? How about crimp covers? Check out our insightful Q & A section before you design your next jewelry piece and keep scrolling down to find the most popular essential beading findings out there! Choosing a beading wire is critical in your jewelry designs, but so is choosing the right beading findings.