What gauge of wire to use?

Jacqueline40 wrote

on Sep 14, 2010 11:52 AM

I am making a square wire bracelet, but I am not sure what gauge to wire to use.

Do you have any suggestions?

Jacqueline

Cat_P wrote

on Sep 14, 2010 12:08 PM

It really depends on what kind of bracelet you are making. Do you happen to have a picture or could you explain further?

A bangle type bracelet would need pretty heavy gauge wire, but a bracelet with several pieces of wire would use a medium gauge. So I can't really help unless you explain further exactly what your plans are for the bracelet.

Jacqueline40 wrote

on Sep 14, 2010 12:14 PM

Here is a picture of it.

Billy Z wrote

on Sep 14, 2010 12:45 PM

The big ones on the outside look like about 20-21 awg square to me, an the inner ones about 24 awg square. The wraps appear to be about 22 awg half-round. Keep in mind that you mcan substitute materials depending on what you have on hand, ya know. Like the center wires with the beads, you caan substitute round wire there for a different effect. The same with the half-round wraps, you can use full-round or square wire for those and it give a totaly different look to it. Exchange the metal beads for some nice glass, crystal, or natural gemstones for a dramatic change in appearance. You can even change the wire gauges to change the look. Bigger wire will make a thicker, and wider bracelet like for a guy, ya know. Smaller gauges will make it daintier like for a little girl or something. Good luck making it. That's a great little project.

Billy ;o)

Jacqueline40 wrote

on Sep 14, 2010 1:18 PM

Billy Z,

Do you purchase your wire online?  If so, can you please recommend where I should purchase my wire?

Gembeadboards wrote

on Sep 14, 2010 3:16 PM

I have gotten good deals at www.Monsterslayer.com, they have various sizes and types of wire.

I have seen this pattern of bracelet before.  Let me see if I can find it for you.  Sorry I couldn't find the pattern.  But, the name is Checkerboard Bracelet.

MysticP wrote

on Sep 14, 2010 4:27 PM

For wire, I like www.wire-sculpture.com for their variety. They have wire in base metal and precious metal, and all the shapes. There are also some neat little tutorials on their site. 

Billy Z wrote

on Sep 15, 2010 7:18 AM

We get our wire from Rio Grande. Their prices are competative and they give you spot(from "on the spot" pricing or what it is selling for on that particular day or sometimes even the time of said day) price store credit for all of your returned scraps. I've never seen anyone do that before. Granted it is only store credit, but it still spot price. That is basically an even trade on any new wire of the same kind you buy, ya know. Most  places give you scrap price(and still only store credit, and some don't even take scrap back) for any returns, which is roughly one third to on half of spot. Pam just told me that Indian Jeweler's Supply will give you the same deal. So those are two good ones to order from.

Billy ;o)

megm3271 wrote

on Nov 7, 2010 6:17 PM

Hi Jacqueline40,

 I do a lot of wire work and find that 18-20 Gauge is sufficient for the outside wire while 20-21 gauge is better on the inside.I prefer an 18 gauge 1/2 round for the wraps.

I agree with Billy in saying switch up from square to round for a new affect - you could even get an inexpensive pin-vise and twist a few for good measure! It add's a pretty "diamond" affect to the wire. You could also coil some 1" or 2" units and add them onto a base wire for a cool look as well.

 I actually prefer using really heavy gauge wire in bracelets - like 12-14 gauge - dead soft of course - but that's just me.

 Have fun with it - a good on-line resoure for copper and brass practice wire is www.brandywinejewelrysupply.com; and I also purchase S/S and GF wire from Rio Grande because as Billy also pointed out - they collect scraps - one gal's scraps is another gal's refined metal!

labup wrote

on Mar 14, 2011 9:07 AM

Sometimes you can find wire directly from wire making companies.   Usually you will have to buy quite a bit but it is worth it in the long run.  A couple of years ago I bought 100 feet of dead soft, sterling silver wire from a wire company for $190.00.  That seemed like an outrageous amount of money to spend on silver wire at the time.  It was the best price per foot I could find at the time though.  I still have several feet of this wire left and with silver jumping in price like it did, it was well worth the investment.  

I also found a place that had better prices than anywhere I could find online for Agentium Silver.  It is http://www.argentiumsilverfindings.com/. 

Tia Dalma wrote

on Dec 28, 2011 2:07 PM

Saavi this thread has not been active since March and was originally started over a year ago, so some links just might not work any longer.

Davidwillson wrote

on Aug 16, 2012 3:02 AM

Here are some gauges for different jewelry projects

Wire Gauges - In reference to wire gauge sizes, the larger the number, the smaller the diameter of the wire.

26g - extra fine - for very small and delicate projects
24g - fine - for pearls & most gemstones - easy to work with
22g - medium - fairly universal for glass beads, fits some pearls and gemstones
20g - medium heavy - great for earwires, clasps or larger beads
18g - heavy - often good for chainmaille or when you want a heavier look
16g - heavy - often used as a base to wrap finer wires around
14g - heavy - often used as a base to wrap finer wire around
12g - very heavy - hard to work with, good for rings and buckles

The most commonly used sizes for wire wrapping are 20 to 24g.

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Islamic Jewelry | Bahai Jewelry

Gyspy Mary wrote

on Sep 9, 2012 5:05 PM

Thanks a Million. I had this all written down once upon a time.  I am putting it on my bulletin Board so I don't misplace it.