What Kind of Flexible Beading Wire Do I Need?

Flexible Beading Wire comes in a variety of diameters and strands. The .012, .014, and .015 refers to different diameters of beading wire. For example, .012 wire measures .012 inches in diameter. The strand quantities 7,19,and 49 refers to the number of wires entwined to comprise the diameter. The more strands, the more pliable the wire and the less likely it is that the wire will kink.

The weight and design of your project will determine the choice of wire.

As a general guide:

Lightweight or small-hole beads, use .010 or .012.
Gemstones, crystals and medium weight glass beads use .014 or .015
Heavy Beads or Nuggets use .018, .019, or .024

Each diameter and strand quantity has a break limit. The limit is the number of pounds each diameter is able to hold before the wire will break. The breaks for the individual diameters are as follows:

7 Strand:

.010-7 pounds (lb) or 3 Kilograms (kg)
.012-12 lb or 5 kg
.015-15 lb or 7 kg
.018 and up-20 lb or 9 kg

19 Strand:

.010-7 lb or 3 kg
.012-12 lb or 5 kg
.015-17 lb or 8 kg
.018-26 lb or 12 kg
.021-35 lb or 16kg
.024-48 lb or 21kg

49 Strand:

.013-13 lb or 6 kg
.015-20 lb or 9 kg
.018 & .021-26 lb or 12 kg
.024-40 lb or 18 kg
.030-65 lb or 30 kg
.36-90 lb or 41 kg

The Beading Emporium™~ P.O. Box 774 La Grange, KY 40031 ~ (502) 797-2434

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