Options for Practice Wire
Question:
I saw a website which had 20-gauge practice wire for sale. Would practice wire be suitable to create a piece of gemstone jewelry and sell it? What metal is practice wire made of? Does it tarnish, peel, or turn green? What does it do with aging?
-Mary in Lawrence, Kansas
I saw a website which had 20-gauge practice wire for sale. Would practice wire be suitable to create a piece of gemstone jewelry and sell it? What metal is practice wire made of? Does it tarnish, peel, or turn green? What does it do with aging?
-Mary in Lawrence, Kansas
Instructions
Answer:
When choosing wire to practice with, consider both the temper (hardness) and the shape (round, square, half-round, etc.) before buying.
Without knowing the metal type, I can't say if it will tarnish or react with your stones or beads.
My advice: find one or two patterns you want to try and use the wire gauge, shape, and hardness recommended by the pattern author.
For general practice, I recommend copper wire in the needed gauge, temper, and shape. Brass wire is also a popular choice.
If a website doesn't provide product details, email them to ask or look for another supplier.
Answer contributed by Dale "Cougar" Armstrong
When choosing wire to practice with, consider both the temper (hardness) and the shape (round, square, half-round, etc.) before buying.
Without knowing the metal type, I can't say if it will tarnish or react with your stones or beads.
My advice: find one or two patterns you want to try and use the wire gauge, shape, and hardness recommended by the pattern author.
For general practice, I recommend copper wire in the needed gauge, temper, and shape. Brass wire is also a popular choice.
If a website doesn't provide product details, email them to ask or look for another supplier.
Answer contributed by Dale "Cougar" Armstrong
Materials
Copper Wire Options
Red Brass Wire Options
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Tools
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- Category: General Education
- Technique(s): Wrapping, Weaving
Dale Armstrong
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