• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Studio 73 Designs

Studio 73 Designs

Wire Jewelry Making & Wire Wrapping Techniques

  • Start Here!
  • Get Your FREE Wire-Wrapping Guides
  • Shop Tutorials
    • Cart
    • Checkout
  • Blog
  • About
  • Contact Me

Jewelry Wire for Wrapping Stones [Beginner’s Guide]

DISCLAIMER:  This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you.  Please read my disclaimer for more info.

Want to Support my Work?

If you are enjoying my content, please consider support me on Patreon :). This helps me to create more AMAZING FREE content to share with you :)

August 10, 2022 by Madelynn

If you’re new to wire-wrapping, you may be feeling a little overwhelmed in regards to wire – that’s totally normal.

In this blog post, I discuss the different types of wire for jewelry making, wire gauge and the best sizes for wire jewelry, wire hardness and wire shapes.

Once you feel more confident with wire, you can move on to learning some simple wire wrapping techniques 🙂

 

Looking for simple wire-wrapping techniques?

Click here to see all PRINTABLE wire-wrapping tutorials for beginners

 
Beginner's Guide to Jewelry Wire for Wire-Wrapping
 

Types of Wire for Wrapping Stones

Both base metal and precious metal wires are used in wire-wrapping. If you’re a beginner, you’ll want to stick with the base metal wires.

Please note that beading wire is not appropriate for wire-wrapping.

 

Base Metals

Base metal wire is way more economical than precious metal wire which makes it ideal for beginners.

The base metals that I am discussing in this blog post are: copper wire, brass wire, and Artistic wire.

 

Copper Wire

Copper wire is my favorite wire for wire-wrapping.

When I first started wire-wrapping, I bought bare copper wire at my local hardware store. I bought 18 gauge and 24 gauge which was enough to get started.

Copper wire is also widely available online. If you want “real” copper wire, make sure that it’s labelled as either “bare”, “raw” or “pure”.

Please note that bare copper wire will tarnish over time. Personally I love the “antique” look.

If you’re interested in this too, please check out my blog post “How to use Liver of Sulfur as Copper Patina”.

 
Copper Wire for Wire-Wrapping
Photo Credit: KJewelryMetal
 
See More Copper Wire
 

Brass Wire

Brass wire is a “yellow-ish” wire and is similar in cost to copper wire.

Brass is also prone to tarnishing (like copper wire). Some jewelry makers like the look of antiqued brass.

 
Brass Wire for Wire-Wrapping
Photo Credit: COPPERWIREUSA
 
See More Brass Wire
 

Craft Wire or Artistic Wire

Craft wire and artistic wire are used interchangeably – “Artistic Wire” is a brand name.

It’s available in a variety of colors & gauges, and is perfect for making wire-wrapped jewelry because it’s dead soft (see below for more info on Wire Hardness).

If you’re looking for silver-plated wire or gold-plated wire, this is what you need.

Artistic Wire for Wire-Wrapping
Photo Credit: CraftBistro
 
Artistic Wire for Wire-Wrapping
Photo Credit: CraftBistro
 
Artistic Wire for Wire-Wrapping
Photo Credit: CraftBistro
 
See More Artistic Wire
 

Precious Metals

Jewelry wire is also available in sterling silver, fine silver and gold.

If you’re just starting out, I would recommend getting some experience before moving on to precious metals, mainly because of the price difference.

Sterling Silver Wire for Wire-Wrapping
Photo Credit: InTheWorksBeads
 
See More Sterling Silver Wire
 

Looking for simple wire-wrapping techniques?

Click here to see all PRINTABLE wire-wrapping tutorials for beginners

 

RELATED CONTENT

  • Ultimate Guide to Wire Jewelry Making for Beginners
  • Wire-Wrapping Tools & Supplies for Beginners
  • Wire-Wrapping Tutorials: 17 DIY Wire-Wrapped Earrings
  • How to Anneal Copper Wire
  • How to Make Jump Rings
 

Wire Gauge

The thickness of your wire is measured by gauge.

Basically the higher the number is, the thinner the wire is – and vice versa. The lower the number is, the thicker the wire is.

 
Wire Gauge Chart
 

Which size of wire should I use in my wire jewelry?

Sometimes it’s hard to know what size wire to use in your projects. Fortunately, the majority of tutorials will have a list of wire gauges used.

If you’re just winging it, the best advice I can give you is to “EXPERIMENT”! See what works for you – there will be some trial and error, but you’ll soon figure it out.

Here are the most common uses of wire in jewelry making:

12 gauge

  • Solid cuff bracelets or bangles
  • Frames
See 12 gauge wire
 

14 gauge

  • Heavy books & clasps
  • Light bangles and cuffs
  • Rings
  • Frames
See 14 gauge wire
 

16 gauge

  • Thick jump rings
  • Hook clasps
  • Frames
See 16 gauge wire
 

18 gauge

  • Jump rings
  • Head & Eye Pins
  • Simple bead links
  • Heavier ear wires
  • Bails
  • Frames
See 18 gauge wire
 

20 gauge

  • Smaller jump rings
  • Head & Eye Pins
  • Simple bead links
  • Heavier bead links
  • Lighter hooks & clasps
  • Ear wires
See 20 gauge wire
 

22 gauge

  • Head & Eye Pins
  • Wrapped bead links
  • Ear wire
See 22 gauge wire
 

24 gauge

  • Weaving
  • Small head & eye Pins
  • Bead links
  • Small jump rings
  • Coiling
See 24 gauge wire
 

26 gauge

  • Weaving
  • Wire Knitting
  • Coiling
See 26 gauge wire
 

Wire Hardness

Wire hardness refers to the stiffness or malleability of the wire and falls in one of three categories: dead soft, half hard, and full hard.

 

Dead Soft

Dead soft wire is the easiest to bend which makes it ideal for a number of applications.

For beginners who are learning how to wire-wrap, dead soft wire is the best to start with.

 

Half Hard

Half hard wire is softer than hard but still has some spring to it. It is ideal for ear wires, jump rings and links.

 

Hard

Very difficult to shape and not used much in jewelry making.

 

Wire Shapes

The three most popular wire shapes are: round, half-round and square.

Each of these shapes can offer interesting results. Once again, EXPERIMENT.

 
Common Wire Shapes Wire-Wrapping
 

Round Wire

Round wire is the most common shape of wire that is available.

It can’t be “twisted” because it is already round. This effect can be achieved by simply using two strands of wire.

Gold Filled Round Wire
Photo Credit: WestCoastFindings
See All Round Wire
 

Square Wire

I love the look of square wire – it offers a very unique look in finished wire-wrapped jewelry. The flat sides allow it to lay flush, unlike round wire.

Square wire is typically more expensive than round wire.

Copper Square Wire
Photo Credit: FDJtools
See All Square Wire
 

Half-Round Wire

Half-round wire is typically used to bind several strands of square wire. It has one flat side which can lay flush, and a domed side.

Half Round Wire Copper
Photo Credit: CreatingUnkamen
See All Half-Round Wire
 

Want to Support me?

If you enjoyed my content, please consider support me on Patreon:). This helps me to create more amazing free content to share with you 🙂

 

If you’d like to see my work and follow my wire journey, you can find me here:

Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
Pinterest
YouTube
Etsy

madelynn signature

Filed Under: Tutorials/DIY

Reader Interactions

Trackbacks

  1. How to Wrap a Briolette: Wire-Wrapped Swarovski Crystal Pendant Tutorial | Studio 73 Designs says:
    October 8, 2020 at 2:01 pm

    […] Beginner’s Guide to Jewelry Wire for Wire-Wrapping […]

  2. How to Wire-Wrap Crystals [Step by Step] | Studio 73 Designs says:
    August 10, 2022 at 8:12 pm

    […] Beginner’s Guide to Jewelry Wire for Wire-Wrapping […]

  3. Tools for Wire Wrapping | Studio 73 Designs says:
    August 11, 2022 at 9:27 am

    […] RELATED: Jewelry Wire for Wrapping Stones: Beginner’s Guide […]

Primary Sidebar

MadelynnHey there! Thanks for visiting 🙂

My name is Madelynn and I’m the owner of Studio 73 Designs.

Studio 73 Designs is managed by a team of wire wrapping jewelry enthusiasts.

If you enjoy my content, you can support me on Patreon 🙂 Cheers!

Follow Me

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Wire Wrapping Tutorials
Wire Wrapping for Beginners Start Here
Beginner's Guide to Jewelry Wire for Wire-Wrapping
Wire Wrapping Tools and Supplies for Beginners
How to wire wrap stones without holes wire-wrapping tutorial for beginners
Wire Wrapping Tutorials DIY Jewelry Kits

Footer

Are you interested in wire-wrapping?

Sign up below and get access to my FREE wire-wrapping guides!

    Built with ConvertKit

    Site Navigation

    Home
    About
    Contact
    Blog
    Privacy Policy
    Disclaimer
    Terms & Conditions

    Follow Me

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    © 2023 · Studio 73 Designs