Creating beautiful beaded jewelry involves choosing the right stringing material and mastering appropriate techniques. There's no single "best" material, as it entirely depends on the design, the type of beads, and the desired drape and durability of the finished piece.
Here's a guide to common stringing materials, suitable techniques, and tips for choosing the best option for your project:
Guide to Jewelry Stringing Materials
Stringing materials fall into a few main categories: beading wire, threads/cords, and specialty materials.
1. Beading Wire (also called "flexible beading wire" or "cabling wire")
This is one of the most popular choices for general stringing of necklaces and bracelets due to its strength, flexibility, and good drape. It's made of multiple tiny strands of stainless steel twisted together and then coated with nylon.
Types: Beading wire comes in various "strands" (e.g., 7, 19, 21, 49 strands). The higher the number of strands, the more flexible and supple the wire will be, providing a nicer drape.
7-strand: More economical, but can be prone to kinking. Good for less flexible designs or those that won't experience much bending.
19-strand: A good all-around choice offering a balance of flexibility and cost.
49-strand: The most flexible and durable, offering the best drape. Ideal for high-quality pieces and designs that need to withstand a lot of movement.
Diameters: Available in various diameters (e.g., 0.010" to 0.024"). Choose the largest diameter that will fit through your bead holes for maximum security.
Best for:
Necklaces and bracelets with good drape.
Designs with heavier or abrasive beads (e.g., gemstones, crystals).
Creating "floating" designs if a clear coating is used.
Technique: Primarily used with crimp beads (or crimp tubes) and crimp covers to secure clasps and finish the ends.
Basic Crimping: String a crimp tube, then a clasp component (like a jump ring or loop of a toggle clasp), then thread the wire back through the crimp tube, pulling it to create a small loop around the clasp. Flatten the crimp tube with flat-nose pliers or a crimping tool. Add a crimp cover for a more finished look.
Wire Guardians: These small, U-shaped metal components protect the beading wire from abrasion at the clasp, extending the life of your jewelry. Thread the wire through one side of the wire guardian, then around the clasp, and back through the other side of the guardian before crimping.
2. Threads and Cords
These offer a wide range of textures, colors, and properties, making them suitable for various styles and techniques.
Silk Thread:
Properties: Traditionally used for stringing pearls, silk is soft, smooth, and has a beautiful drape. It often comes pre-threaded with a needle. It can stretch over time.
Best for: Pearl knotting, delicate gemstone necklaces, and pieces where a soft drape is desired.
Technique: Pearl Knotting: A classic technique where a knot is tied between each bead to prevent them from rubbing together and to secure the entire piece if the string breaks. This creates a luxurious look and allows for natural movement.
Nylon Thread (e.g., Nymo, C-Lon, S-Lon, Fireline, Wildfire, Dura-Line, KO):
Properties: Strong, durable, and resistant to stretching (especially waxed or braided varieties like Fireline and Wildfire). Comes in a vast array of colors and thicknesses. Some are pre-waxed for ease of use and to prevent tangling.
Best for:
Bead Weaving: Techniques like Peyote stitch, brick stitch, herringbone stitch, and right-angle weave.
Micro-Macrame: Creating intricate knotted patterns with small beads.
Stringing beads with small holes that might cut other threads (e.g., Fireline, Dura-Line).
Projects requiring multiple passes through beads.
Technique:
Knotting: Can be used for simple knotted necklaces or bracelets.
Bead Weaving: Requires specific needle-and-thread patterns to interlock beads into fabric-like structures.
Micro-Macrame: Involves various decorative knots (e.g., square knot, half-hitch) to create patterns and hold beads.
Cotton Cord:
Properties: Natural, soft, and available in many colors. Can be prone to fraying and stretching.
Best for: Casual designs, macrame, kumihimo, and pieces where a natural, rustic look is desired. Good for larger-holed beads.
Technique: Knotting, braiding, macrame.
Hemp Cord:
Properties: Natural, strong, and durable with a slightly coarse texture. Eco-friendly option.
Best for: Macrame, knotted bracelets, and natural jewelry designs.
Technique: Macrame, knotting.
Leather Cord/Thonging:
Properties: Durable, natural, and adds a rustic or edgy look. Available in various thicknesses and shapes (round, flat, braided).
Best for: Designs with larger-holed beads, mens' jewelry, and pendants.
Technique: Simple stringing with knots, sometimes crimped ends with specialized findings.
Elastic Cord (e.g., Stretch Magic, Elastomer):
Properties: Stretchy, making it ideal for bracelets that can be slipped on and off. Some brands are more durable and resistant to cracking over time.
Best for: Stretch bracelets and anklets.
Technique: Simple stringing, often finished with a surgeon's knot (reinforced with glue) or a series of tight knots hidden within a bead. Avoid crimps, as they can cut elastic.
3. Specialty Stringing Materials
Memory Wire:
Properties: A rigid, pre-coiled steel wire that retains its shape. It's like a spring.
Best for: Bracelets (single or multi-loop), chokers, and rings where a specific shape is desired without the need for a clasp.
Technique: Simply string beads onto the wire, then create a loop at each end with round-nose pliers to secure them.
Illusion Cord (Monofilament):
Properties: Clear nylon monofilament, virtually invisible. Strong and durable.
Best for: "Floating" bead designs where you want the beads to appear suspended with no visible stringing material.
Technique: Simple stringing, often with crimps or knots hidden within beads.
Beading Chain:
Properties: A delicate chain with small, closely connected links. Offers more strength than thread.
Best for: Minimal and modern designs, stringing small-holed beads directly onto the chain.
Technique: Stringing beads onto the chain, often with jump rings or wire wrapping to secure them.
Choosing the Best Stringing Material and Technique
Here's a decision-making guide:
Consider Your Beads:
Hole Size: Small holes (e.g., pearls, some gemstones, seed beads) require finer threads like silk, Nymo, or thin beading wire. Larger holes (e.g., wood beads, some glass beads) can accommodate thicker cords like cotton, hemp, or leather.
Weight: Heavy beads (large gemstones, metal beads) need strong materials like multi-strand beading wire. Lighter beads can use threads.
Sharp Edges: Beads with sharp edges (e.g., some crystals, faceted glass) can cut through softer threads. Beading wire with a nylon coating or strong braided threads (Fireline, Wildfire) are better choices. Always consider using wire guardians with these beads.
Abrasion: If beads will rub against each other frequently, choose a durable material that resists abrasion.
Determine the Desired "Drape" and Flexibility:
Flowy, Soft Drape: Silk, high-strand beading wire (e.g., 49-strand), or a flexible thread like Nymo will give a softer, more fluid feel.
Structured, Holds Shape: Memory wire will hold a rigid shape. Thicker beading wire (lower strand count) will be less flexible.
Stretch: Elastic cord is the only option for true stretch.
Think About Durability and Wear:
Everyday Wear: Multi-strand beading wire, Fireline, or Wildfire offer excellent durability for pieces worn often.
Special Occasion: Silk, while beautiful, may need restringing more often if worn frequently.
Child's Jewelry: Elastic cord is common, but ensure it's strong enough and knots are secure.
Consider the Desired Look:
Invisible: Illusion cord.
Natural/Bohemian: Hemp, cotton, leather.
Traditional/Elegant: Silk (especially for pearls), fine beading wire.
Modern/Minimal: Beading chain, fine beading wire.
Identify the Finishing Method:
Clasp & Crimp: Beading wire is best.
Knotting: Silk, nylon threads, cotton, hemp, leather.
Slip-on/No Clasp: Elastic cord, memory wire.
Wire Wrapping (for securing beads to wire): Craft wire, sterling silver wire.
By understanding the properties of different stringing materials and the techniques they pair with, you'll be well-equipped to choose the best option for your jewelry-making projects and create beautiful, durable pieces.