What Size and Strength of Beading Wire Do I Need?

When working with beads, choosing the right beading wire is very important – not only for the look of your finished piece but the structural integrity. To select the correct beading wire for your project, you need to understand its properties. Stringing wire is composed of a group of thin steel wires that are wound together. They are often coated in nylon for a softer feel and a greater resistance to deteriorating. When selecting wires, the three properties you need to look for are diameter, strand count, and pound test.

Diameter – The diameter of the stringing wire is typically listed as a fraction of an inch, or in millimeters. This measurement determines how strong the wire is, and what type of bead will fit on the strand. If you are using teeny tiny beads, you will want a stringing wire with a small diameter.

Strand Count – Strand count works a little bit like the thread count for fabrics. The higher the strand count, the more flexible it feels. A high strand count will feel more like string than wire. Flexibility in your work tends to feel more high-quality, and it is also less prone to kinking.

Pound Test

The pound test, which is sometimes referred to as the break, is the number of pounds your wire can support before breaking. The higher the number is, the stronger your beading wire is. This is really only important if you are using heavy, oversized beads.

No matter what type of beading wire you need for your projects, you can find them at MultiCreationsNJ.com. We sell bulk jewelry making supplies that are essential for any jewelry maker to have on hand.