An
often asked question for new wire workers is, "What size gauge do I
need?" Wire is sized in gauges. The smaller the gauge (number) the
bigger the wire. Below I've listed some of the most commonly used
gauges and their uses.
- 16 gauge: .051 inches, 1.29 millimeters. Very
heavy and thick wire. Use with heavy duty tools.
- Project uses: Wire sculpture,
bracelet bases, unsupported shapes, neckwires.
- 18 gauge: .040" 1.02 millimeters. Medium thick
wire. Use with regular jewelry tools.
- Project uses: Wine charms, clasps,
gift wrapping, decorations, wire wrapping beads with large holes,
chainmaking.
- 20 gauge: .032" .81 millimeters. Medium wire.
Use
with regular jewelry tools. Most base metal headpins and earwires are
made from 20-gauge wire.
- Project uses: A good general-purpose
wire
for making earwires, headpins, and small wire clasps. Good for wire
wrapping most glass beads, colied beads, and eye pins.
- 22 gauge: .025" .64 millimeters. Medium thin
wire.
Use with regular jewelry tools. This gauge is ideal to use when
20-gauge is just a bit too thick.
- Project uses: Wire wrapping beads
like Austrian Crystals or transparent semi-precious beads, scrapbooking
and paper crafts.
- 24 gauge: .020" .51 millimeters. Thin wire. Use
with regular jewelry tools. The nylon wire straightening plier is
recommended for use with this wire when it gets kinks, which it has a
tendency to do.
- Project uses: Wire wrapping smaller
crystals, semi-precious beads, and freshwater pearls to chain, rubber
stamping and delicate embelishments.
- 26 gauge: .016" .41 millimeters. Very thin wire.
In order for this wire to maintain a loop, loops must be wire wrapped
closed. Tools with very fine tips should be used with this wire.
Because this wire kinks, a nylon wire straightening plier is
recommended.
- Project uses: Wire wrapping beads to
tiaras and in wire projects where 24-gauge wire
is just a bit too heavy for the beads. Wire stiching, embroidery, and
seed bead projects.
- 28-34 gauge: .013-.006" .32-.16 millimeters.
Very,
very fine wire. Tools with very fine tips should be used with this
wire. This wire kinks quite a bit and a nylon wire-straightening plier
is essential for use with this size wire.
- Project uses: This wire is perfect
for wire weaving, crocheting and free form wire wrapping using small
beads.
Precious metal wires are made in two
metals, gold filled and sterling silver (though some have begun to add
copper to this list due to its current high market value) and in 4
shapes: round, half round, square and twisted. The shape of wire to use
is purely an aesthetic decision. Precious metal wires also come in
three hardness's:
- Dead Soft wire is extremely malleable and
can be bent easily into a multitude of shapes. However, it does not
hold its shape well in situations where a great deal of weight or
pressure may be applied, such as with clasps.
- Half Hard wire is malleable and does maintain its shape under
moderate weight and pressure.
- Full
Hard wire is holds its shape very well and is excellent for clasps. It
may be very difficult to use for intricate designs that require more
malleability.
Remeber
to practice your designs first on the more economical wires such as
brass or copper based, and to save your precious metal scraps for
meltdown and recycling.
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