Wire, what size?

[mz glitz]

I have never brought sterling wire to use in making charms with my beads or connecting beads for a bracelet. Do I get hard, soft , dead soft, half hard??? Also have you heard of wire that is non tarnish, not sterling, is it nice or cheap looking. Help!!! Do you have pictures of how you put it together

[gemsinbloom]

I use half hard in either 22 or 20 gauge. I sometimes use 21 gauge as well but it is more difficult to find.

I don't know anything about non tarnish silver though, sorry.

There are so many ways to wirework beads into jewelry. When I first started out, I found a ton of free information and inspiration on the internet. Books are available as well. There are free videos on youtube. There are forums ( creative wire jewelry on Delphi) If you really want a quick start for inspiration, browse Etsy in the jewelry category.

[mz glitz]

Thank you so much! Do you know the link to the post that had all the sizing for silver tubing to make pandora beads?

[Eileen]

Rio Grande has (argentium?) silver, which they say is slower to tarnish. I don't know if that is their brand or if others carry it also.

[FosterFire]

I use sterling silver half hard 20 gauge. I love argentium, but I had bought my ss awhile back and am on a budget. Argentium is not a brand. It is better for people with metal allergies as well as being slower to tarnish. It uses germanium instead of nickle. "Sterling" definition just requires a min. amount of silver, the rest of the metal can vary. Ever notice that Thai silver looks colder, more pale than Bali? The Argentium stays shiny looking.

[Karen P]

Fine silver is non-tarnish and won't fire scale if you are making headpins. I use20g soft wire (the only way fine silver comes) for wrapping. For earwires, I use half hard sterling.

[Harry]

For low-tarnish use argentium silver. I usually use dead soft 20 gauge. The wire will work harden as you bend it so I tend to start softer. Half-hard will work too. I find anything smaller than 20 gauge too flimsy. Just my 20c. If you intend to make chainmaille jewelry out of silver I would go at least with 18 gauge rings. I no longer use fine silver for findings. It does not tarnish but it scratches easily and is too soft for most applications I use wire for. I made a fused size 13 ring for myself out of it one night and I have to tumble or wash it once a week because it scratches so easily.

H

[Laci]

I don't know about fine silver tarnishing naturally, but I can tarnish it with liver of sulphur, so it seems like it would also tarnish naturally, just not as quickly. As to hardness, I only buy dead soft wire, and then work harden it.

As a lOwer priced alternative, I have heard good things about the silver filled wire, but I haven't used it myself, yet.

[mz glitz]

Everyone has such great ideas, I have a customer that has purchased several bracelets from me and whats one with the beads dangling. I am not real excited about doing this but willing to try, shes been such a good customer. Any help is great!

[Lyssa]

Once you'll do it I think you'll enjoy it. Wire wrapping is FUN!