Creative Metalsmithing from Scratch with Kim St. Jean
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Shop Jewelry Wire by Gauge

Jewelry Wire Categories
10 Gauge
12 Gauge
14 Gauge
16 Gauge
18 Gauge
20 Gauge
21 Gauge
22 Gauge
24 Gauge
26 Gauge
28 Gauge
30 Gauge
32 Gauge
34 Gauge

Wire can be the glue that holds your jewelry together, or it can shine as the focal point of your entire piece. Whether you’re into chainmaille, beading, wire sculpture and jewelry making, or even name writing, we have the perfect wire for you.

Use finer (higher gauge) wire for delicate jewelry with smaller stones, or bundle multiple lengths together for added strength. Use thicker (lower gauge) wire for larger jewelry pieces and bigger stones. Most bracelet patterns can be made using 21- to 22-gauge wire, while a masculine bracelet may use 20-gauge.

For rings and earrings, we recommend 22- to 24-gauge half-hard wire, depending on the size and style of your design. For more details on wire gauges, check out "What Gauge of Wire Should I Use" in our jewelry-making articles section!

Thicker wire is great for wrapping cabochons, crafting ring shanks, creating sturdy wire bundles, and working with jigs. You can also use wire to make your own jump rings, bails, and findings—so don’t be afraid to experiment and explore!

If you're used to buying wire by weight, check out our Wire Conversion Charts for easy reference.

AWG Conversion Table - Stacked Layout
Conversion Table - American Wire Gauge (AWG) to Inches and mm
Gauge Size Diameter (Inches) Diameter (mm)
10 .1019 2.588
12 .0808 2.05
14 .0641 1.63
16 .0508 1.29
18 .0403 1.02
20 .0320 .813
21 .0285 .723
22 .0253 .643
24 .0201 .511
26 .0159 .404
28 .0125 .320
30 .0100 .254