There are a variety of bead types in the market today, but not all is suitable for wire-wrapping jewelry.
The beads used in wire-wrapping must have durable properties to withstand the twisting and bending of wires.
They must not easily cracked or scratched under the pressure of wire manipulation.
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5 Bead Types for Wire-Wrapping Jewelry
Here are five bead material types that I frequently used in my own wire-wrapped jewelry designs.
I have also included some photos of beautiful jewelry pieces from other creators to inspire you and I in our next creation.
1. Gemstone Beads
Gemstones are known for its hardness and quality which makes it a good choice in wire-wrapped jewelry.
You can make premium handmade gifts for your loved ones using gemstone beads.
This playful colorful gems mix shape earrings by Anna Balkan Jewelry used different shades of Topaz gemstone beads with pink pearl beads for contrast.
She also combined different bead shapes at the top part of her earrings so it captures and reflect light at different angles to draw attention.
She placed a bigger sized beads at the bottom to control the weight and movement of her dangle earrings.
2. Pearl Beads
Next, pearls are organic precious stone that works well in wire-wrapping jewelry making.
It can be used to make a wonderful high quality bridal or heirloom gifts.
This beautiful necklace by EmmaJoyas used round pearl beads so it is smooth on the skin.
Wire flowers are featured at the front with pearls and metal beads for delicate details.
She also added in one unique teardrop shaped pearl bead to dangle for contrast in shapes.
3. Glass Beads
If you are a beginner or intermediate in wire-wrapping, you can start with glass beads.
Glass beads can be used for everyday wear.
This beautiful Mermaid Glass Beaded Halo Bangle by CrookedHaloCrochet on Etsy used matte finish round glass beads that gives off a frosted icy look.
She then frames the glass beads with copper wires and spaced them out evenly around the bangle.
4. Crystal Beads
Similar to glass beads, crystal beads are a good choice for beginners as it is cost-friendly.
However, higher quality crystal beads have better shine so you should keep that in mind.
As shown here by PastelGems on Etsy, she carefully curated the crystal bead shapes and sizes to create an elegant floral dangle earrings.
5. Metal Beads
Last but not least, metal beads are used in wire-wrapping for spacing, findings and dressing up.
As you have noticed from the previous designs, metal beads are used to add structure and details onto your jewelry.
You can use metal bead caps and head pins to hang your beads as shown in funkyprettybeads post.
Or, you can space out your beads with metal bead caps to prevent surface scratching, especially if your beads are made of different materials from one another.
Bonus Tips
Before purchasing your beads, you must consider their shapes, size, hole size and drilled area for your overall jewelry design.
This post by Misty Couch showcases all the unique bead shapes that you use to express your creativity. Some bead shapes may cause the bead to be brittle so choosing the right shape is important. When I design my jewelry, I would study the bead shapes and allocate them to parts that will preserve them well.
Besides that, bead size determines the style of your jewelry. If you prefer to be loud and bold with your jewelry, then choose the bigger bead size. If you prefer to be elegant and dainty, then you can go for the smaller bead size. Knowing your bead size can also help to estimate the total number of beads and wire length you will use in your design. The Crafty Cab post above gave an estimated value for easy reference.
Last but not least, you must match the bead hole sizes to the wires that you will use for your wire-wrapped jewelry. The other thing to take note is where the holes are drilled on your beads as it can help with dangle designs and more.