Daily Wire Tip Apr. 8: Perfect Chain for Wire Jewelry

Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip for
April 8, 2011

Question:

I am having trouble deciding the correct-sized chain to purchase for my projects. Is there a standard or a rule of thumb I can refer to?

-Dorothy in Lackawanna, New York

Answer:

Working with chain is so much fun! The size of chain used for a project can be chosen by the desired finished look of a design, where the piece of jewelry is to be worn, and your good common sense, Dorothy. If we think about it, chain is made of metal, and metal is a strong material; however, the gauge and size of either individual links or the combination of links should play a large part in your choice.

Let’s talk about some wire jewelry designs that utilize chain.

Earrings should be relatively lightweight, and when using chain to make them long, choose either small links or small gauge. You can add flash by using a larger, more ornate chain that is made in a small gauge.

Necklaces – the sky is the limit with these gorgeous creations! You can mix and attach multiple style chains together on a single focal point, or just choose a chain design to match the style you are creating. Check out a Google Image Search using this phrase: images chain necklace.

Bracelets and anklets need to be a bit more sturdy, because these are worn in high traffic areas. Chain used for these items should be of a heavier gauge and firmly secured by using either wrapped loops or a pair of jump rings at the closures.

So really, Dorothy, there really is no "rule of thumb" for choosing chain. I just wouldn’t recommend using a very small-gauge, fine chain to support anything really heavy, because the chain could bite into a person’s skin, and possibly break.

Answer contributed by Dale "Cougar" Armstrong

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8 Comments

1. 

   Jane Elizabeth

   April 8, 2011 at 8:26 am

   Dorothy,
   Great question! Don’t you just wish suppliers would include a scaled image of the chain? It sure would make my life a bit easier in trying to order the proper size, but then I’m a relative newbie in this area so maybe it’s just me…
2. 

   Delores

   April 9, 2011 at 8:48 am

   How do you determine if small, fine chain can accept a jump ring? I have some lovely sterling chain that I bought in my ignorance, and it’s too fine to accept even a 3mm jump ring. Is solder my only recourse?
   • 

     dalecgr

     April 10, 2011 at 12:19 am

     Delores, the internal/inner diameter of a chain needs to be just a bit larger than the diameter of the wire the jump ring is made of. Solder will not help if the jump ring does not fit through the chain to begin with : )
     • 

       Jenna

       November 29, 2011 at 2:12 pm

       May I ask then, how do we solve the problem? I have the same issue. I have some lovely chain that is way too fine to attach anything with via jump ring. is it useless? There has to be some way to attach clasps, right? Any suggestions?
       • 

         dalecgr

         November 30, 2011 at 5:26 pm

         Seriously Jenna, I would take it to someone who can solder and have them attach any clasps or jump rings that you need.
3. 

   Deanna Moores

   April 9, 2011 at 3:00 pm

   As Dale stated, what one must remember is where and how the chain is going to be used. I picked up fine chain to use in earrings I wanted to try making (no pattern, so I had no one to blame)….turned out the link was too fine to even fit the gauge of wire I needed to thread through the links!!! I made one pair of earrings (with 26 g wire)and gave them to my daughter with a “caution” notice to be very carefull handeling them. I’ll be testing out the next purchase with a the proper gauge wire at hand!
4. 

   Delores

   April 11, 2011 at 10:46 am

   Thanks, Dale. Chalk up another one to “live and learn,” I guess!
5. 

   Reva

   March 29, 2014 at 4:15 pm

   Through trial and error I learned to carry samples of wires with me in my wallet. Also, many online & mail order sellers are not only willing to thread test wires through links on request, but are grateful for the suggestion, as this gives THEM an additional selling point for customers.