Best Gauge Wire For Jump Rings
18 16 gauge work well for making sturdy clasps and jump rings see about wire hardness for more info.
Best gauge wire for jump rings. All sizes listed are inside diameter i d which corresponds to the size of the mandrel onto which the wire is wound. Any actual ring will be slightly larger due to springback. They are the awg american wire gauge system and the swg standard wire gauge system. Just to confuse us the wire gods have created two similar but different wire sizing systems.
Large bead holes and stone settings are easily crafted using 22 gauge wire. The chart below can be printed life size for quick ring size reference. 100pcs genuine sterling silver open jump rings 4mm 0 16 inch small connector thin wire 0 5mm 24 gauge 0 02 inch for jewelry craft making ss74 4 4 1 out of 5 stars 21 8 99 8. Medium gauge jewelry wire is very versatile and can be used for many projects.
We have gathered an american standard wire gauge a brass millimeter gauge and one pair of calipers. For lightweight earrings 3 5 4mm 20 gauge jump rings are a size that works well. Half hard wire is great for making ear wires jump rings hoop earrings and other shapes. Medium gauge wire is easy to use and can be found in.
Give this a quick read before you shop for wire. 20 gauge wire is also good for a variety of other delicate handcrafted findings like links or looped chandelier earring components. Use these i d s as a guide not an absolute as springback can occur on larger rings especially in metals like steel and aluminum. 18 gauge bails large jump rings chainmaille jewelry frames structure wire bracelets rings.
Below are examples of three standard tools that are commonly used in measuring jump rings. Our jump rings follow the american wire gauge awg also known as brown and sharpe b s. A 4 5mm jump ring in 18 gauge wire is still small in size but will be considerably stronger. Both are in regular use though in north america awg is more common.
If you use half hard wire or work harden softer wire these gauges are also sturdy enough to hold their shape for making handmade chain ear wires eye pins jump rings and lightweight clasps. Thicker wire such as 18 gauge and 20 guage wire is strong enough for average sized jump rings clasps and pins. This chart shows data for each ring from both wire gauge systems swg and awg decimal inches fractions and metric. It can be shaped by hand and with the use of regular jewelry making tools.
To attach clasps on necklaces or clasps on bracelets 6mm 18 gauge jump rings are a good choice. Measuring the wire diameter of your jump ring is easy with the right tools. It is soft enough to bend easily but is hard enough to hold its shape afterwards. 20ga works well for bracelet and necklace wire.
Follow instructions below to make sure it prints life size.