The Wires in Your Vintage Jewellery - By: Karen Lincolns

You can easily become overwhelmed with the variety of beading wire available. 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. More expensive beading wire are commonly available by the ounce or foot whereas copper and brass wires can be packed in 10 to 40 yard spools.. Brass and copper are easier to manipulate so along with being a cheaper option are easier to practise with when starting out..

Beading wire hardness

A wire's hardness describes a wire's temper or malleability. The two main categories for sterling silver are dead-soft and half-hard, Dead-soft is used when you want to bend the wire with your fingers. A slightly stiffer wire which will hold it's shape better is half-hard. Hammering a peice of beading wire will flatten it and make it a more ridgid piece, although you will find that most wires will harden a bit as they are manipulated..

Wire Shapes

Most types of beading wire are available in various shapes, these include square, triangle, twisted, round and half-round.. The shape you choose will depend on the piece you are making and the style you want.

Scale of Wire gauge?

The thickness or diameter of the wire is measured by the gauge. Between 12 and 28 are the most common sizes used for wire and bead jewelry making. The thicker the wire you want to use the lower the gauge number is what you need.

28 Gauge Wire
Delicate applications like crochet or twining usually require this gauge or thinner due to them being delicate. Also your beads, pearls or gemstones have tiny holes then this gauge wire may be the only option.

24-26 Gauge Wire
This size wire is sometimes called ultra fine wire.. Beaded flowers, wire wrapping and wire crochet are all uses for this gauge 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. This is available in two types, half-hard or dead soft.

16-18 Gauge Wire
This wire gauge is fairly sturdy as it is medium thickness.. The regular use for this wire is for large jump rings, chain mail and clasps.

Gauge 12 - 14
This wire is only available in the hardness - dead-soft and is best used for wire shapes that are unsupported such as neck wires and bangle bracelets.

With the many varieties of beading wire available it is easy for you to become overwhelmed. Silver, gold, coper and brass are some of the finishes and materials available to use. There are also variations of silver and gold which include gold-filled, sterling silver, gold and silver plated.

For more tips and techniques on beading then visit us and our UK bead supplies shop.