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Beading Wire

Beading wire is for stringing beads. It is not the same as Jewelry wire, that only consist of one strand of metal, and it is not suitable for bead weaving. Wire ment for bead stringing is made of several hair-thin strands of metal, that are twisted together for a strong and durable, yet flexible cable. Since it is made of wire, it must be cut with side/flush cutters.

Beading wire comes in several colors and metal finishes. They are used to string beads, but can also be used to make -floating- necklaces. These necklaces can be very decorative. You use beading wire that is close to flesh color, and glue or crimp beads on it wide apart. That will give the illusion of beads floating free around your neck.

A 7 strand wire is made of 7 stainless steel wires and coated in clear nylon. A 19 strand wire is made of 19 x 7 strands and so forth. This makes a 49 strands beading wire, extremely strong and flexible. It is the strongest threading option available, and it takes a lot to break one.

Wire used for bead stringing is mainly measured in diameter but also in how much weight they can endure, from lightweight to heavyweight. Always consider how much weight the wire must hold in your project. Heavier wires can hold more weight than lighter ones. In the following table you can see roughly the weight category the different diameters belongs to.

Wire diameter	Bead sizes
.010	seed beads, freshwater pearls, and smaller gemstones, lightweight stringing and bead weaving
.012-.013	Crystal beads, seed beads, freshwater pearls, beads with small holes
.015-.018	Medium to heavy gemstones, crystals, seed beads, glass and metal beads. Most versatile sizes for jewelry making,
.020-.021	Large or heavy gemstone beads with unevenly drilled bead holes. For stringing medium-weight designs
.024-.026	Large or heavy beads with large drill holes, glass and gemstones
.030-.036	Large glass beads, medium to large crystals, chunky metal and heavy stone beads. For stringing heavier designs

Beading wire brands:
There are many brands to choose from, and close to all have characteristics like extreme soft or that it does not kink easily and so fort. Therefor it is not easy to say which is the best of the wires, as they all, except Acculon comes with very much the same qualities and prices.

I have tried to make an overview for you on the brands that dominate the marked today, what colors and sizes they are made in and how many strands they have. Hopefully it will be easier for you to find what you need for your various projects.

Oh, and a small tips before I start: When you crimp to fasten the clasp to your necklace, give a small slack. If you fasten the crimp too close to the last bead, your necklace/bracelet may be too stiff and loose its soft drape.
OK! Ready for the wire brands:

Accu-Flex Professional Quality Beading Wire:
Accu-Flex is a nylon coated wire, available in sterling silver, brass or stainless steel varieties. It is known for its high quality, and is perfect for most of your projects.

It combines versatility with value. It is known for its strength, flexibility and does not easily kink. It drapes smoothly. The 49 strands can be knotted, but is usually set with crimp beads.

Color	Strands	.0092	.007	.012	.014	.019	.024
Stainless Steel Clear	49			X	X	X	X
Stainless Steel Clear	21			X	X	X	X
Stainless Steel Clear	19			X	X	X	X
Stainless Steel Clear	7	X	X	X	X	X	X
24K Gold plated	49			X	X	X	X
24K Gold plated	21			X	X	X	X
24K Gold plated	19			X	X	X	X
24K Gold plated	7	X	X	X	X	X	X
Silver plated	49			X	X	X	X
Silver plated	21			X	X	X	X
24K Silver plated	19			X	X	X	X
Silver plated	7	X	X	X	X	X	X
925 Sterling silver	49			X	X	X	X
925 Sterling silver	21			X	X	X	X
925 Sterling silver	19			X	X	X	X
925 Sterling silver	7	X	X	X	X	X	X
Brass	49			X	X	X	X
Brass	21			X	X	X	X
Brass	19			X	X	X	X
Brass	7	X	X	X	X	X	X
18 colors	49				X	X	X

Beadalon beading wire:
This is a beading wire of high quality that offers a range of metals and colors. It is, depending on how many strands, a very flexible wire that drapes nicely. It is has a high kink-and abrasion resistance. It is also known for its superior strength.

The 49 strands are a good choice for creating professional looking design with high security. The metals are tarnish resistant.

Color	Strands	.010	.012	.013	.015	.018	.020	.021	.024	.026	.030
Satin silver,satin gold, satin copper	49				X	X			X
	19		X		X	X			X
	7		X		X	X	X		X

Color	Strands	.012	.013	.015	.018	.024	.030
Sterling silver	49				X	X
Sterling silver	19					X
Sterling silver	7			X	X
Silver/gold pl.	49		X	X	X	X	X
Silver/gold pl.	19	X		X	X	X

Color	Str.	.010	.012	.013	.015	.018	.020	.021	.024	.026	.030
Black, Bronze, White	49			X	X		X	X		X	X
Black, Bronze, White	19	X	X		X	X	X	X	X
Black, Bronze	7	X	X		X	X	X	X	X	X
5 Colors	19		X		X		X	X
5 Colors	7		X		X		X	X
silver color	49				X	X					X
silver color	19		X		X	X	X		X		X
silver color	7		X		X	X	X		X
Gold color	49								X
Gold color	19				X	X		X	X
Gold color	7		X		X	X	X		X
Champagne	49								X
Champagne	19				X	X
Champagne	7				X	X
White	19		X		X	X
White	7		X		X	X
copper color	7				X	X	X		X
Silver gold, silver rose	7				X	X

Acculon beading wire:
One of the first beading wires manufactured, which set the standard for twisted steel beading wire. It is perfect for abrasive-holed gemstone beads. It is constricted of either 3 or 7 micro spun, stainless steel wires, woven together and nylon coated.

Acculon is the most inexpensive of the nylon coated wires on the marked today. It is OK for beginners or if you are beading on a budget. It offers some flexibility and kink resistance, but is not comparable to beading wires of higher quality. Because of its few strands, it cannot be knotted and must be set with a crimp bead.

Color	Str.	.012	.015	.018	.020	.022	.026
St.steel, clear, Gold	7				X	X	X
St.steel, clear, Gold	3	X	X	X		X

Flex Rite beading wire:
This is a professional quality beading wire at an affordable price. It is known to be strong, soft and flexible and to have an excellent drape. It is kink resistant, can be knotted and has high abrasion resistance.

Color	Strands	.010	.012	.014	.018	.020	.024
925 Sterling silver	49				X		X
925 Sterling silver	7			X	X
Silver pl.	49			X	X		X
Silver pl.	19			X	X
24K Gold plated	49			X	X		X
24K Gold plated	19			X	X
Clear	49	X		X	X		X
Clear	21	X		X		X	X
Clear	7	X	X	X		X	X
black,bronze,copper,satin gold,pearl silver,white	49			X	X		X
black ...	7		X	X		X	X
Gold	7		X	X	X	X

Soft-flex beading wire:
comes in 7 to 49 strands of stainless steel wires woven together and nylon coated. It is hypoallergenic and known to be the most flexible and kink resistant stainless steel wire on the market today. Must be crimped.

Color	Strands	.010	.014	.019	.024
Econ Flex, 8 farger	7	X	X	X
Soft Touch, 3 farger	7	X
Soft Touch, premium	21		X
Soft Touch, premium	49			X	X
Extreme flex, 3 farger	19		X	X	X
Soft Flex 7 farger	21		X
Soft Flex 21 farger	49			X	X
Soft Flex Extreme, St.silver	19		X	X	X

Other wires for bead stringing:
I am sure there are other wires on the market today, but my search online has not brought forth any so often as the ones mentioned here.

When it comes to Tigertail, I have not been able to find out if it is a brand or a general name on all nylon coated wires. Some suppliers sells it as if it was a brand on its own, other as a general term on several wires that are made for bead stringing. I will keep you updated as soon as I find out.

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