Ring and bead sizes for captured bead chain maille.
If you're going to capture beads inside a chain maille weave, you must know what sizes and shapes will work within the gauges and diameters of your rings.
Instructions
In this chain maille weave the bead size and the ring size work together to create different looks. A looser weave has more gaps and more light, a tighter weave has more metal around the beads and less light. To get the look you want you can alter the bead size, the bead shape, the thickness of the ring and also the size of the ring. If the weave is too loose the bead will fall out. If the weave is too tight there won't be enough room to add new rings to hold the next bead.
Bead sizes
Small differences in bead size will make a difference. Beads that are called 4mm may not be exactly that measurement and beads within a strand may vary quite a bit, particularly if they are hand-cut or faceted gemstones. Crystals and mass produced beads will generally be more uniform in size.
Round or faceted.
A 4mm round bead is 4mm across at all points but a 4mm faceted bead has a smaller surface area where the material is removed to make the flat facets.
Small differences in bead size will make a difference. Beads that are called 4mm may not be exactly that measurement and beads within a strand may vary quite a bit, particularly if they are hand-cut or faceted gemstones. Crystals and mass produced beads will generally be more uniform in size.
Round or faceted.
A 4mm round bead is 4mm across at all points but a 4mm faceted bead has a smaller surface area where the material is removed to make the flat facets.
Ring sizes.
The difference between the stated Inner Diameter (ID) which is the size of the mandrel used to make the rings and the actual ID can make a difference. The difference in the 2 IDs is caused by the spring back from the coiled wire after it is removed from the mandrel. Dead soft wire will have less spring back and half hard wire will have more. Measuring the actual ID of your rings makes it easier to design with this weave. To measure the actual ID you can use calipers or verniers, the inside measuring faces are above the normal measuring faces.
The difference between the stated Inner Diameter (ID) which is the size of the mandrel used to make the rings and the actual ID can make a difference. The difference in the 2 IDs is caused by the spring back from the coiled wire after it is removed from the mandrel. Dead soft wire will have less spring back and half hard wire will have more. Measuring the actual ID of your rings makes it easier to design with this weave. To measure the actual ID you can use calipers or verniers, the inside measuring faces are above the normal measuring faces.
Type of jewelry
The style and fit of the jewelry will make a difference. This is particularly important for bracelets. This pattern will need to be looser for tight fitting bracelets so there is enough movement to make the curve around a wrist. If you want the pattern to have lots of spaces you will want the rings to be larger or thinner rings and if you want the pattern to have more solid metal you will want smaller rings or thicker rings.
The style and fit of the jewelry will make a difference. This is particularly important for bracelets. This pattern will need to be looser for tight fitting bracelets so there is enough movement to make the curve around a wrist. If you want the pattern to have lots of spaces you will want the rings to be larger or thinner rings and if you want the pattern to have more solid metal you will want smaller rings or thicker rings.
Materials
No materials listed
Tools
Digital Calipers With Stone Holder by Euro Tool
GAU-179.00
- GAU-179.00
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $39.97
- Gold Club Price: $29.98
Supply Detail
loading...
Change Metal:
This Tip requires:
Purchase quantity:
Price: $
Gold Club Price: $
Purchase quantity:
Price: $
Gold Club Price: $
- Category: Chain Maille
- Technique(s): Design
Kylie Jones
Other Tips by Kylie Jones
Closing Stainless Steel Jump Rings
Stop Marring Your Wire and Jump Rings
Fixing Marks in Your Jump Rings
How to Share Your Workspace with the Family Room
Sizing a Chain Maille Bracelet
Change Up Your Ear Wires
No-solder Post Ear Wires
Make Yourself a Polishing Tent
Using 2-part Epoxy
Making a Flat-end Headpin
Gluing Clasps to Leather and Ribbon
Tumbling Chain Maille
Turn an Old Table into a Jewelry Bench
Using Thermoplastic in Jewelry Making
Designing Chain Maille with Aspect Ratio
Convenient Tools for Making Consistent Loops
Designing with Chain Maille - Aspect Ratio for Full Persian Weave
DIY Photography Set-up
Perfecting simple loops to enhance your jewelry designs. 
Aspect Ratio for Half Persian
Aspect Ratio for European 6 in 1. 
Quick and Easy DIY waterproof sanding sticks
DIY Exhaust Fan
Using Niobium Rings in Chain Maille
Designing with Chain Maille - Aspect Ratio for Box Chain. 
Tool Tip - Quick Makeshift Bench Block
Use Your Phone as a Digital Microscope. 
Tool Tip - Enlarging Bead Holes to Fit Your Wire
Opening and Closing Square Wire Rings in Chain Maille. 
Using Square Wire Rings in Chain Maille
Tumbling Tight Chain Maille Weaves. 
Aspect Ratio for Byzantine Weave
Creating a Standing Workspace
A neat way to use and store your bench block
Using a Ball Vise
Storing Needle Files
Easy Tools for Working at Different Heights and Angles
Filing a Straight Edge on Wire
Getting a Uniform Round Edge on Wire 
Soldering Jump RIngs
Using Color in Jewelry Design
Polishing Stainless Steel Elements
Using Brass in Your Jewelry Designs
How to Make Sandpaper Board
Make Your Own Swizzle Sanding Sticks
Setting Up Metal Sandpaper Holders
Make Your Own Nylon Jaw Pliers
Tiny Ceramic Files
Using Silicone Polishing Wheels to Texture Wire Designs
Make a Dustproof Polishing Tent
Using Silicone Polishing Pins
Limiting Foot Pedal Speed on Flex Shaft and Micromotors
Sanding Small Items
Using Your Saw to Tighten a Join 
Starting a Saw Cut
Chain Maille Helper
Make Your Own Sanding Sticks
No Prickle Chain Maille Jewelry
The premier place for all your jewelry making needs. The best in wire, tools, cabochons, gemstone beads and more. As well as a superior resource for educational support to help build your jewelry making skills and techniques.
Connect With Us
® 2007 - 2024 Wirejewelry.com Powered by ClaimTheWeb Cart