How to choose proper wire gauge for your designs

Gauge is a technical term used to describe the thickness of the wire, the lower the gauge number, the thicker the wire will be. Jewelry wire from jewelry making supplies stores comes in many different thicknesses, such as 14 gauge, 16 gauge, 18gauge… and 28 gauge. The following post will teach you what wire gauge for what design.

1 Choose 26 to 28 gauge wire to make wired crochet and wired weaving creations where a very thin and flexible wire is necessary. These wire gauges can also be used to make wrapped wire creations.

2 Select 22 to 24 gauge wire for making wrapped wire creations. 24 gauge wire is the standard gauge of most ready-made eye pins and head pins. These wire gauges are also used for semi-precious beads that typically have slightly smaller holes.

3 Use 20 gauge wire in all of the same applications as the 18 gauge wire. In addition to these uses, earring wires are typically made from 20 gauge wire.

4 Choose 18 gauge wire to make typical jump rings, clasps, head pins, and eye pins. This gauge wire is commonly used for making wire wraps and is a good choice for jewelry making because it will fit through most bead holes.

5 Use 14 or 16 gauge wire to make thicker-than-average jump rings and clasps. You can also make eye pins and head pins used for beads with larger holes.

Source from: http://www.beadinfashion.com/what-wire-gauge-for-what-design/