How Do You Choose Wire For Jewelry Making?
There are many things you need to consider when buying wire for jewelry making. Sometimes jewelry makers forgo the beads and make pieces by weaving the wire itself into intricate designs. In order to make a beautifully wired piece, you must first know how to choose the right wire. Use soft wire (hardness 0 or 1) for making spirals and round shapes. Choose half-hard wire (hardness 2 or 3) for designs that require sharp angles, or where the wire must wrap around itself. Buy hard wire (hardness 4) for jewelry that must stand up to a lot of wear and won’t have any round shapes. Use gauge 20 or higher for earrings and wrapped bead links in bracelets and necklaces. Buy gauge 18 to 20 for making most bracelets. Get 16 to 18-gauge wire for making necklaces. Remember that 16 gauge is very large and difficult for most beginners to work with. Use gold wire for aesthetics if your budget allows for it. Gold-filled wire is less expensive and looks and wears like gold. Both are tarnish resistant and
