Daily Wire Tip Oct. 20: What Size of Wire is Best for 4mm Beads?

By on October 20, 2009
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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
October 20, 2009

Question:

I want to buy the 4 mm sterling silver sparkle bead with 1.3 mm hole, what size of wire sterling silver gauge should I get?  How do I know what size of wire to purchase for the size of beads?

Answer:

To check the size of wire with relation to the size of the hole in a bead, follow the link below and scroll down to Table 3, Conversion Table – Gauge to Inches and Millimeters. Just be sure to get the wire a tiny bit larger than the beads` hole so you`ll be sure of a good fit! https://www.wirejewelry.com/pages/wire_footage_charts.html

Answer contributed by Dale `Cougar` Armstrong

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5 Comments

  1. avatar

    Ellen Levy

    October 20, 2009 at 9:51 am

    I enjoy your daily wire tips.

  2. avatar

    Susan Shafer

    October 20, 2009 at 10:50 am

    Do you really mean the wire should be a little bit larger than the hole? Don’t you mean it should be a little bit smaller than the bead hole?

  3. avatar

    Dale

    October 20, 2009 at 11:07 am

    Thanks Susan! You are absolutely correct! Sometimes I work so late that I make silly mistakes.

  4. avatar

    Nancye

    October 20, 2009 at 11:25 am

    The more I learn, the more I need to learn. –What are the chances of having available “practice kits” —Along the same line as a kit for making a fine piece of jewelry, however, in less expencive materials so that we can do some practicing, before settling down to use the more costly materials ( and mistakes) ? —–Right now I am intimidated by the costly materials, so am afraid to really step up to the plate.
    Nancye

  5. avatar

    Chriss Martorelli

    October 20, 2009 at 12:08 pm

    My question is the same as above. Don’t you need the wire to fit throught the hole of the bead?