Knowledge Centre - Stringing for Jewellery Making
We have assembled an assortment of questions we have been asked on the subject of bead stringing including wires, silk, memory wire and rubber cord.
| Hi - I'm keen to make a long pearl necklace, roughly 130cm in length. I'm not sure of a) the best type of silk to use, or b) the type of knot to do at the end by the clasp (and how to secure it). I assume it's just best to hand tie simple knots between each bead? If you could advise me on what silk I need and if there are any other things I need to know in advance, that would be much appreciated! Many thanks Jenny | Dear Jenny I have my own particular way of stringing pearls, and have found that our mediumweight silk is excellent for stringing - this comes with a needle attached, and it is just a process of patiently getting your knot as close to the pearl as possible - however, I have looked online for a more meaningful description of how to do this and I think the best instructions are those I found below (I have adapted them to make them a little easier to read) --- I will in due course probably write a tutorial as to pearl stringing, but in the meantime, I hope that this helps - the below was taken from http://beadwork.about.com/library/weekly/blear.him. Kind regards Pearls and/or beads of your choice 1. Unwind a card of silk cord, the size most suitable for your pearls. I like to pass it through a curling iron or even press it with an iron to smooth out the kinks from the card. Tips: If you have trouble matching thread, use one a shade darker and one a shade lighter to make a blend that will add depth and look very nice in your finished product. |
| Hi Mark, I am looking for thin wire to make dangle earrings. Quiet flexible and thin. Wire that won't remember the shape unless I will bend it really hard - then there will be 'bend mark' and it won't be straight anymore. I don't know if that makes sense, but I am just giving a try, so hopefully this is what I am looking for. I guess the thinner the better. Regards, Marta | Dear Marta, Yes the braided wire is what you need. The more strands the more flexible, but for earrings the 7 strand should be fine. The diameter is not as important as the number of strands, but 0.015" should be OK. Kind Regards, Mark |
| Can you please tell me the recommended dia sterling silver wire for threading 8mm dia semi-precious beads as I don't know the dia of the hole in them. Obviously I want the bracelets I make to be as strong as possible but if the wire won't pass through the bead I will have a problem. I also need the bracelets to remain quite flexible and I intend to use sterling silver toggle clasps. Many thanks Linda | Dear Linda, Since we do not know which beads you are using it is impossible to advise the size of the holes, however most are drilled from 0.8- 1.0mm. Stephanie usually uses 0.5mm sterling wire which is perfectly satisfactory. Have you looked at our hints and tips section? - there are guides to wire & stringing plus hole sizes. Regards, Mark |
| Hi Thanks for your help. | Dear Tricia I always use 0.5mm sterling silver wire (or gold-filled wire!) for this type of bracelet - the sterling wire we sell is in the state of being 'dead-soft' rather than the harder varieties so it is lovely and easy to work with. If you look under the hints and tips section on the site you will see how to make the loop and the tools you will need - I would advise practising with some inexpensive copper wire to start with because it would be a shame to waste sterling on practice work. Hope this helps Kind regards Stephanie |
| Dear Bead Addict Team , Are your German copper wires SU 129 and SU 130 half hard ? Kind Regards , Miss Lesley | Dear Lesley Yes, this copper wire is half hard; I have taken some out of the packets and examined it and estimate it to be half hard. Kind regards Stephanie |
| Hi there I was wondering if you know the diameter of the hole in the Swarovski pearls (6mm) I wanted to thread them onto organza ribbon and I think I'll need at least a 1mm hole to do this. Thanks in anticipation Lesley | Dear Lesley, The holes are approx 0.8mm diameter. Regards, Mark |
| Hello, I'm thinking about making bracelets from a coil of memory wire, SU-224. Could you please tell me what I need for the end? Kind regards, Anne | Dear Anne, Ends are available which are glued to the wire, but we do not stock these since they are not secure. Please refer to our hints and tips section www.beadaddict.com/uk/tip11-memory-wire.htm, where we recommend bending a loop onto the end of the wire. Regards, Mark |
| Hi I am looking for some beading wire to make flowers the pattern i ave recomends0.030mm do you have any in stock or if not can recommended the one to use, Regards Paula | Dear Paula, I do not think you mean 0.03mm - this would be extremely small; you either need 0.3mm or 0.030 inch (approx 0.7mm), we stock many wires including 0.3mm and 0.8mm in sterling silver and also wires in copper a silver plated. and braided wires in several sizes. You need to look in our sundries section - www.beadaddict.com/uk/sundry6.htm Regards, Mark |
| Looking for beads and silver findings that are 3MM diameter center hole or that can fit on 3MM rubber cording. Thank you so much, Barb. | Dear Barbara, I regret our beads and finding are intended for fine wire work. We only stock a very few large hole beads. Regards, Mark |
| Good Afternoon, I hope this finds you well. I am new to jewellery making but so far so good, I was hoping you could offer me some advice. I would like to make a long necklace with lots of beads on it, when looking at necklaces I own they seem to be made of a thread like material. What would be the correct name for this material? Warm Regards, Emma | Dear Emma, There are many different types of stringing material it is impossible to say what you have from your description. Perhaps you could take a look at our stringing guide in the hints and tips section: www.beadaddict.com/uk/tip8-stringing.htm Regards, Mark |
| Hi, I am looking to make a few stretchy bracelets with large gemstone beads. I was wondering if you could advice what thread you sell that it exceptionally strong. Also, if there is a preferred method to seal the recommended thread please advice what glues if nesicary you sell that would accomplish this. I would be looking to buy quite a bit. Thanks in advance for your assistance. Regards Liz | Dear Liz, We sell stretch Magic in 0.5 & 1.0mm. Both are strong, but they are often used multi stranded to increase the strength if required. Stretch Magic recommend the following Knotting guide: Regards, Mark |
| Dear Stephanie and Mark, I was thinking about ordering some beads from you, but was wondering what would happen if the beads were not what i was needing? Do you accept returns? Many Thanks Alison | Dear Alison, With the exception of a few items (books, cords, chain & wire cut to order), we will refund any item returned in original and unused condition within 2 weeks of mailing. Regards, Mark |
| Please would you let me know if the size 4mm round semi precious beads will take a size 22g wire and the size 10mm take a size 20g wire many thanks. P A C | Dear PA C You have not stated which item numbers so we cannot give a definitive answer, but in general the 4mm beads are drilled 0.6mm, 6mm and above are drilled 0.8 to 1.0mm so yes the wires you mention will pass. Please also refer to the website Hints and Tips section - 'Bead Hole Sizes'. Regards, Mark |
| Hello, Stephanie, Please would you advise me. I wish to restring an antique double row coral necklace as it has snapped. Which of your threads should I use? The holes in the coral pieces are very small. Many thanks for your help, Diana | Dear Diana I would probably use .13 or .15 Beadalon as both these sizes are thin but very flexible and strong. Hope this helps Kind regards Stephanie |
| Hello Stephanie, Please could you tell me the components needed to make earings with the foxtail wire. I am not sure how to attach it without breaking it. Thank you, Jan. | Dear Jan In the earrings I make with foxtail, after threading my beads I use STF-224 - Small Sterling Silver End Crimps with Ring. You just crimp these in the middle - if you look at them closely you will see that there is a ring, then there seems to be three parts to the tube - you just crimp the middle section, not pressing so hard that the chain breaks inside, just ensuring that the chain stays put; you then attach the ring to the loop on your earring finding. Hope this helps Kind regards Stephanie |
| I'm new to bead/jewellery making so I need some advice please. I'm planning on making a fully covered pearl necklace (approx. 16" in length) + bracelet and small drop earrings to match for a christmas present for my mum. The pearls I'm thinking of using are: FW-211 FW-103 FW-159 and FW-154 Questions:
The other bits I thought I would need are: GOL-7 gold crimp beads Before I place an order is there anything else that you can think of that I'm missing or likely to need? Thanks in advance for the advice and apologies for the no doubt silly questions. Sue . | Dear Sue I hope this helps Kindest regards Stephanie |
| Hi Mark… got the rubber cord today… thanks…. Got any tips for gluing to 925 silver… I just used E6000 and 2-component epoxy and pulled the ends straight off. Cheers for any help you can give. | Hi Chris, Superglue joins rubber to rubber really well. I have joined the 2 ends and seconds later pulled them - they are almost as strong as the original. Use a spot on the end of a wire to transfer the glue. We also glue sterling to glass using superglue, so I guess rubber to sterling should be fine also. Regards, Mark |
| Could you please advise me as to whether the STS Fine Chain (STF-241) would be at all suitable for hanging an 18/22 mm Murano Heart off. I would like to fix Swarovski Crystals on the chain but have a heart hanging off the centre (please see rough sketch attached). Would the Murano be too heavy for this chain? Also will be ordering 2 Alexandrite Murano 20 mm hearts from you soon but wondered whether it would be possible for you to select two pretty ones ie nice shape, colour and smooth texture to the surface that would be as similar to one another as possible? I am making up necklaces with these for bridesmaids and therefore want to have particularly nice examples. Many thanks | Dear Sarah
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| Dear steph, thanks very much indeed! very comprehensive and helpful. Im not to hot with figures so ill have set soem time aside asap to work all this out properly. Im sure its all quite simple really once you've got the hang at the moment it feels so daunting! Im going to put in an order this week and have some questions though. What is the gauge of the STS wire that you said you love working with best, the 0.002" one? i did know but ive forgotten. Also, you used sell these gorgeous heart pendents in lapis and rose quartz, they were about 30mm across in size and all curvy with a bail. Do you think youll ever get them in again? if not i dont suppose you know where i could get? Im sure there was something else, nevermind, take care! jenny | Dear Jenny The STS wire I work with most frequently is the 0.5mm; as for the heart pendants in semi-precious stone, we are not selling those now because they involved a lot of work for Mark and he could not keep up with demand unfortunately - not at all sure where you would get something similar - just a case of keeping an eye out for them I guess. Kind regards Stephanie |
| Hi I hope you can offer me some advice! I have some (5) beautiful glass beads on a leather thread which is approx 2-3mm in diameter. I would like to add some additional beads to the necklace but don't have the equipment or skills to make something new. I am therefore looking for some beads with a suitable hole diameter that they will fit onto the thread. I have looked and looked on many bead websites and really like some of the dichroic beads and Murano glass beads and Karen silver beads on your site. Can you advise me as to the bead hole size of the following so that I can workout if I can get them onto my necklace. Many thanks KA290, KA245, MU647, MU417, MU49, MU862, MU587, DI10, DI550, DI564 If none of these seem suitable - can you suggest another solution? Thanks Jo | Dear Jo, Most of our beads have small holes suitable for wiring rather than threading onto cords. All the Murano beads have holes of 1 - 1.5mm, so would not be suitable. KA-290 is 1.5mm, KA-245 is 2mm. The large dichroic beads all have holes 2-2.5mm, but the smaller (KA-264) are 1.5mm. You may wish to also consider the handmade beads HMB-63 to HMB70 which all have holes 2-2.5mm. Regards, Mark |
| Dear Stephanie I am enquiring about item no. SU-120 Rubber Cord. I would like to purchase this item from you but notice that you do not accept Paypal. Could you tell me whether I could pay by cheque? I design and make Cancer Awareness Jewellery, which I sell to raise awareness and money for charities, support groups and people affected by cancer. (www.awarenessalways.org) I would like to make cord type chokers and bracelets that would be adjustable because of the sliding knots. Would your rubber cord be appropriate for this use? It seems to be a good thickness for it, I did wonder about using suede but at 3mm I think that it is too thick. I would really appreciate your thoughts on using the Rubber Cord, as well as information on alternatives methods of payment. I’d just like to add that I really like your website very much; I haven’t found another one so full of interesting ideas and helpful hints, as well as great products!! I am definitely a regular visitor to the site- it is very inspiring! Kind regards Jessica | Dear Jessica, Thank you for your email. I do not think this rubber cord would be suitable for your purpose as it is just not made for this - it is not slippery enough, and therefore would not be adjustable. I'd suggest the 'rat-tail' might be more suitable for your purpose - we carry some books on Chinese Knotting which address this type of use, and this is the knotting thread they use. Hope this helps Kind regards Stephanie |
| Hi I am new to jewellery making and have no idea where to start! I have some glass and ceramic beads which I want to make into a string with seed beads. Could you please recommend which thread to use for this? I think I need to use crimping beads before the clasp - is this correct? If so, what size? Do you sell a book you can recommend for beginners? Sorry for so many questions. I chose your site because of your excellent help section, and the page design which means I don't have to scroll through pages and pages to find what I need. Thanks very much Julie | Dear Julie A good entry level stringing medium is Acculon or Tigertail (Beadalon 7 strand) which is cost effective and a good way to start. I would recommend 'Findings and Finishings' by Sharon Bateman as a good starting point book. Many thanks for your kind words about the site, it is much appreciated. Kind regards Stephanie |
| Dear Stephanie I am now not only a bead addict but also an addict of your website. I have bought a number of things from you and am very pleased with my purchases. However I wonder if you could help me with something. I am trying to string some quite heavy silver foil beads on a 0.5mm waxed cord and used the 2mm cord endcaps that I ordered from you the other day, I glued and crimped them and they seem quite secure but don't look very tidy. Is the cord too thin or should I be using different endings. I don't know what to use as the beads I am threading have holes of different sizes. I would be very grateful if you could give me some expert advice. Many thanks Deborah | Dear Deborah Thank you for your e-mail. Yes, the problem is the difference in the size of your stringing material and the size of the cord end-caps - these are usually used with matching size or slightly smaller leather or similar thread, and with thinner thread, crimps are usually used - or even cone ends with multiple strings all funnelling into the same cone and being secured by a crimp - so in effect, this will look untidy because of the different applications normally employed for each material/item you have used. If you take a look at the website on the Hints and Tips section you'll find help on how to crimp and then to tiny up excess thread - alternatively I can recommend the Sharon Bateman book, Findings and Finishings. Hope this helps. Kind regards Stephanie |
| Hello Stephene, Thanks for replying and our suggestion of Beadalon, I'm sorry I didn't thank you before. I have two further questions for you, and that is: what is the price and where can I purchase Beadalon, given that I live in India: and second, or is this my third, I have noticed that a lot of designers who use large stones seem to be using a macrame like thread - is this very strong? Thanks again in advance, look forward to your reply, Gail . | Dear Gail Sorry for the delay in getting back to you - I have just returned from the States. You can find Beadalon on our site, at various prices for various lengths and grades - just take a look at the stringing section - also you could take a look at the Beadalon website for more information which may be of use to you. I think the macramé type thread designers may be using may be either Hemp or Linen thread - its a contemporary look which gives an ethnic or raw feel to work, but I cannot vouch or speak for its strength, never having used it - I imagine if you use multiple threads then it would be fairly strong, but again, if your stones have raw edges at all they will eventually rub or fray their way through any threading or stringing - you may wish to try a couple of different types of stringing in the same piece of jewellery - this will provide strength and give the wearer a bit more interest as well - worth considering. Hope this helps kind regards Stephanie |
| Hi Stephane, Need your advice,and probably your products! I am currently based in India and string mainly semi precious stones.The problem I am facing is that I have VERY LARGE stones,and they are constantly breaking the wire or nylon threads that I am using.In addition,some of their edges are not very rounded.So need your recomendation on the type of thread to use giving me the greatest strength from a supporting weight point of view,resistance to edges,yet still gives me a bit of flexibility of movement? As I am travelling to London in the next few weeks,I could possibly pick up supply on that visit. Many thanks and kind regards Gail | Dear Gail I would probably recommend Beadalon as it is many strands of wire sheathed in nylon and its very flexible - and recommend the thickest size - and even then you may need to use more than one strand of it - also - consider putting knots in between each of your beads because like a pearl necklace, if the stringing breaks then you lose just one bead, not all of them. Hope this helps Kind regards Stephanie |
| Dear Stephanie, I bought some fw pearls (FW134) and some aquamarines (AQ14) and was wondering if you can tell me what diameter of wire will get through the holes? I ahve some sterling silver wire which I think is 0.8mm and it gets partly through but then gets stuck. Advice would be most appreciated - so I order the right size of wire from the silver people. Many thanks Helen | Dear Helen I believe 0.5mm wire will go through most pearl holes - this is the wire I use and its rare when I cannot get my wire through the hole. I believe your own wire at 0.8mm will be too thick. Kind regards Stephanie |
| Hi I'm trying to find something suitable to thread chunky bits of crystal with freshwater pearls. I've tried using silk and nylon thread but the drill holes of the crystals seem to cut through the thread and I've also used tigertail (3 strand and 7 strand) but this snaps if the necklace is squashed. Can you recommend anything else? The material needs to be flexible as it's to make a double strand necklace that can also be twisted to make it shorter and into a choker. Any help would be much appreciated as I'm at my wit's end!! Many thanks Katie | Dear Katie Have you read through our stringing hints and tips section on the website? This might help a bit. Something you could do to improve the beads is to use a file on them and gently file away any sharp edges on the inside - I'd recommend doing this regardless of what you are using to string your beads because it will give your necklace a longer life before you need to restring it. I am not surprised with the silk and nylon, but I wonder in fact if you tried using more than one strand of the tigertail to give additional strength to the necklace; in fact, if your beads are this heavy and this sharp then whatever you use (including my beloved Beadalon) will potentially give you problems - I think addressing the question from a different angle (ie, gently smoothing the insides of your beads would help). As for a flexible, strong thread, I think Beadalon WOULD fit the bill, but again, I have to say if the bead you are using is causing the difficulty then ANY thread you use will be problematic. Kind regards Stephanie |
| I would be grateful if you could give me some idea about the best way to re-string some clear glass faceted beads. They are quite large and heavy and at the moment are strung on a thick white thread with knots between each bead. I would like to use mono filament so that the thread doesn't show. Would this be suitable do you think? I look forward to your suggestions. Many thanks Ann | Dear Ann Thank you for your e-mail. I would not advise you use monofilament with your beads due to their weight - monofilament is ok as a practice thread or as something to make an illusion necklace or similar, but really not suitable for your purpose. I can understand your wanting the thread to be invisible, but to be honest, its very unlikely you will be able to see the stringing once it is done regardless of what you use; take a look on the website for the 'stringing' section as this might make it easier for you to make your selection - something like powerpro might be more in order. Kind regards Stephanie |
| Hi Stephanie I was looking at the 6mm crazy lace agate,4mm dalmation jasper and similar leopardskin. Will the black leather cord (0.5 to 0.7 mm) be OK to use with any of these, and what needle do you recommend? I just want to use the cord-I don't feel confident to start experimenting with clasps etc. Look forward to hearing from you, Regards Caroline | Thank you for your e-mail. Most people do not string directly onto the leather cord - the reason being with semi-precious beads that the hole size can vary tremendously and I feel the holes in these beads would be too small for the leather - the leather itself, being a natural product, can also vary in size, and putting these two variants together is just going to end up with your being frustrated. How about you take a look at the hints and tips section on the website - this will start you off and get you thinking about how you might make your own jewellery, and I am sure you would find it very easy once you started. Kind regards Stephanie |
| Hello I wonder if you can help me, I am looking for a really strong beading thread that can be knotted. I have been using the silk with the attached needle but unfortunately it is not strong enough. Can you recommend an alternative. Many thanks Sandra | Dear Sandra Beadalon is the strongest and most flexible - if you choose Beadalon think about getting the next size up from the thinnest - and its flexible enough to be knotted too. Kind regards Stephanie |
| Hi Stephane, Need your advice,and probably your products! I am currently based in India and string mainly semi precious stones.The problem I am facing is that I have VERY LARGE stones,and they are constantly breaking the wire or nylon threads that I am using.In addition,some of their edges are not very rounded.So need your recomendation on the type of thread to use giving me the greatest strength from a supporting weight point of view,resistance to edges,yet still gives me a bit of flexibility of movement? As I am travelling to London in the next few weeks,I could possibly pick up supply on that visit. Many thanks and kind regards Gail | Dear Gail I would probably recommend Beadalon as it is many strands of wire sheathed in nylon and its very flexible - and recommend the thickest size - and even then you may need to use more than one strand of it - also - consider putting knots in between each of your beads because like a pearl necklace, if the stringing breaks then you lose just one bead, not all of them. Hope this helps Kind regards Stephanie |
| I want to restring some antique pearls. I don’t think they are real or valuable, but they were my Grandmother’s so I would like to wear them. The clasp needs replacing but I don’t know where I can buy one from. I need a clasp for 2 rows of pearls. Do you have anything suitable, or can you tell me where to get one from? I also need thread but have no idea which one to choose. Can you advise me? Thanks Margaret | Dear Margaret The most traditional stringing material for pearls is silk - this usually comes with an integral needle, and the restringing technique is one which needs to be learned and practised before working with your intended beads. Modern, easier methods of stringing have come along since everyone strung pearls with silk - see our hints and tips section on stringing for some ideas as to what you might use - this is only dictated by your budget and time constraints. As for a clasp - we do not have any two strand clasps, but it is just a matter of keeping an eye out for something suitable - however it occurs to me that if these pearls are old, they might benefit from your looking out for a suitable clasp at an antique fair on another necklace and doing a little recycling - you may not get anything cheaper, but it will at least be an old clasp more in keeping with your old pearls. I hope this helps. Kind regards Stephanie |
| Hi I have a pattern that recommends 6lb Fireline, which I see you sell, but I have heard that it is very hard to cut. Is there an alternative that is of similar strength that is easier to cut. I hope you can help. Look forward to hearing from you. Regards Mrs M P | Dear Mrs P We have not heard that Fireline is particularly hard to cut - hard to break, yes, but certainly you can cut it with scissors conventionally - it is exceptionally strong though (one of its selling points!). Hope this helps Kind regards Stephanie |
| Could you give any tips on how to string pearls and finish/attacch the ends to a clasp? | Dear Nathalie Thank you for your order. With regards to your query about how to string pearls, I am presuming you are referring to using silk thread. Most people use calottes for the ends of the thread; then it is a case of threading on a pearl, and then making a neat knot or a double knot right against the pearl and so on and so forth - this is the tricky bit, and most people use a needle to guide the knot downwards to ensure a snug fit against the pearl. It takes practice, it can be frustrating, and it is often not one of those things that just happens straight away. I personally tend not to use the calottes; I tend to use my own method (hints and tips) where I make a loop with rocailles or sterling beads which I can then thread onto the fittings I use. Finally, there is also the option of using gimp/bullion/french wire - you thread your silk through and make a loop then knot and then thread on your pearls - this is the most traditional method - its up to you which one you favour. The point of all these ends to the silk thread is basically to protect the silk and stop it wearing as quickly as it would unprotected - over time silk will stretch, take on bodily oils and perfume, and will need renewing dependent on how often your piece of jewellery is worn - silk is a thread that will not last forever, but it drapes pearls beautifully, and is the expected threading medium for quality pearls. It can be very very tricky indeed to get the silk to 'behave' but once you do it really is worth the effort. Hope this helps Kind regards Stephanie |
| Dear Stephanie, I have just discovered your fabulous website and I am thinking of ordering some beading supplies from you. I've got some fabulous freshwater pearls to string and I would just like to ask your advice - do you consider it essential to string them on silk or can I use Acculon/Beadalon? If you have time to answer, I would much appreciate it - thank you and I look forward to hearing from you. Best wishes, Freda | Dear Freda Thank you for your e-mail. Whilst it is traditional to string pearls on silk, it is also commonplace to string on acculon or beadalon, (dependent on your budget); it depends on whether you want to put knots in-between your pearls, in which case....silk is the material to go for - if not, then acculon or beadalon are good alternatives. Kind regards Stephanie |