Comments on: Source of Gold-Filled Beading Wire?

By: Glenda Munguia

Glenda Munguia — Tue, 12 Feb 2019 15:26:35 +0000

I have bought gold filled wire (and silver) from http://www.gsgold.com though in a pinch I also used a golf filled head pin from a local jewelry supply store.

By: Nicole

Nicole — Wed, 16 Jan 2019 23:24:41 +0000

Thank you ladies all so much 🙂 I will look into the gold-plated stringing wire, as well as the crimp covers and wire guardians. Many blessings!

By: MyCarolAnne Jewelry

MyCarolAnne Jewelry — Wed, 16 Jan 2019 18:11:02 +0000

I would not think that you would want any kind of “WIRE” for a baby anything, as wire will break and would be very dangerous. Therefore, Stringing wire would be the item you would want.

By: Barbara MacDougall

Barbara MacDougall — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 20:12:36 +0000

Hi, Nicole,

Like Judith, I’ve never heard of it. I can’t see the purpose of it since the wire is covered in a nylon/plastic coating, and stainless steel wire would be required for strength because the individual wires are so fine. Gold wire is too soft and would break at that thinness. I’ve used the fine beading chain that Judith mentions, and it looks great, but only for adult jewellery as it’s very thin and fragile. And no, they are definitely NOT using “very thin dead soft gold filled wire”! As I originally said wire is for making chains of beads, NOT stringing beads.

The fineness of the gauge will be your concern, and 49 strand is what you would want to buy for ultimate flexibility. I’d look more closely at what you’re seeing out there on the market already. A two-second search threw up “Beadalon Wire 24K Gold Plated 49 Strand .018 Inch / 10 Feet” on Amazon.com. You’d need .012 inch gauge (or less if it exists) for a baby-size bracelet.

The places you’re looking at might be referring to either gold-filled wire guards/thread protectors or French wire. Using these in addition to your crimps and crimp covers ramps up the exclusivity/quality/finishing factor. Rio Grande or Halsteadbead.com would have them. Try also Wholesale Jewelry Supply Co. (WJSCO.com). They are a small company and provide great personal service.

By: Judith

Judith — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 18:55:21 +0000

I have never seen gold-filled stringing wire. Gold-plated is expensive enough! I wonder if you could be thinking of .8mm or 1 mm gold-filled beading chain. I have some lying around somewhere but haven’t been inspired to use it yet. It’s not as easy to find as stringing wire, but you can find it at Beadaholique directly or via Amazon, and I’m sure there are other suppliers.

By: Nicole

Nicole — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 18:12:01 +0000

In reply to Barbara MacDougall. Thank you Barbara. In that case, are you aware of gold filled stringing wire? I have seen gold plated before, but not gold filled. I’m just wondering if these baby bracelet shops somehow managed to find gold filled stringing wire, or if they are using very thin dead soft gold filled wire to make their bracelets. I want to use the highest quality materials available for my bracelets.

By: Sherry Dusza

Sherry Dusza — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 17:30:46 +0000

I love Rio Grande for almost all of my wire. They have 12K and 14K filled wire and sheet in many gauges and shapes. You can buy as much as you need, they only specify that you buy 0.01 pennyweight. They also price out by market rate, if you watch it you can buy precious metal when the market is low and restock.

Best of luck!

Sherry dusza
Ma Sherie Jewelry Designs

By: Ingrid Calarco

Ingrid Calarco — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 13:43:48 +0000

Have you looked at Fire Mountain Gems online? Several options pop up if you put Gold Filled Wire Full Hard in the search box. I have bought from them for many years and have always been happy. You can usually find a coupon online.

Good luck with your business!

Ingrid Calarco
Pink Eucalyptus Jewelry

By: Barbara MacDougall

Barbara MacDougall — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 13:36:59 +0000

Hi, Nicole. You’re confusing two entirely different materials and techniques. Hard, half hard and dead soft WIRE is used to make individually wire-wrapped beads (with a loop on either side of the bead) which are then, for example, joined with jump rings to make a chain, to which you add a jump ring and clasp. Earwires are made of WIRE.

STRINGING WIRE consists of flexible superfine wires coated with plastic, beads are strung on one after the other, and a loop at each end is closed with crimps, then covered with a crimpe cover. Jump rings and clasps are added. You can get stringing wire in many colours including gold, plus matte or glossy finish.

Just like WIRE, the STRINGING WIRE comes in various diameters (or gauges), and numbers of strands, 7-strand is a good all-purpose quality, 49 strand is very high quality and more costly. Various companies make beading wire; Beadalon is very good quality and readily available. Remember, you get what you pay for.

There are many good YouTube tutorials that demonstrate techniques, materials and the pliers required. Then practise, practise, practise.

Barbara