Sterling silver and cultured pearls come together in these asymmetrical earrings—the epitome of uptown chic meets downtown edge.

Sparkling cubic zirconia surround a lustrous pearl, evoking classic elegance. Peg settings and half-drilled beads make recreating this style a breeze.

This bracelet showcases the classic elegance of gold seed beads, juxtaposed against marbled half-moon beads and modern weathered squares.

Wire working is so much fun and choosing the best wire for your project makes it far easier to achieve something amazing!

This chic jewelry set featuring lapis lazuli half-moon beads and trendy tassels will sweep you off your feet with its stylish design.

Q: Which precious metal wire forms the best, and does it hold its shape?

Q: Would you please explain the differences of sterling silver wire dead soft/half hard and what type of projects they are best suited for. Thank you much!

Q: I think your how-to videos are a wonderful addition to your site. I was watching the bead tip and French wire videos in particular. My question/suggestion is that I don't have a problem with finishing my jewelry on the first end but after the stringing is complete it is the second end which gives me trouble, when you have to tighten the string so that there are no loose beads. French wire is very difficult to use, but doubly so when you are finishing the second end. For example: when I pull the loop, the wire tends to spread and becomes useless. Can you include the second half of the how-to as well as the first?

Q: What type of half-round wire do you recommend for wire wrapping jewelry?

Q: What gauge wire is recommended for making wrapped loops? I've tried the 22 and 24. They are too soft, for me, to work with. Would a lower gauge wire work best? I'm a newbie at this. Also, what would be the equivalent gauge size of a wire diameter of, say, .014 or .015"? I've seen only diameters of wires given, and I have no idea how to determine what the gauge would be.

Q: What is the best wire for a beginner to use for wire wrapping?

Q: I am a chain mail artist considering making my own sterling silver jump rings. Is the cost saving to buy sterling wire and make the rings myself worth the effort? My preferences for wire are 16 and 18 gauge half-hard wire.

Q: I purchased a string of tourmaline briolettes with the holes cut at the top from Fire Mountain. I want to attach them to a gold filled chain (like a string of fish) for earrings. The problem is the holes are much too small to attach with head pins. I have the 26 gauge gold-filled wire from your catalog--but in a dilemma to get the half-hard or full-hard through to make the twisted loop attachment?

Q: If the half-drilled pendant findings or screw eyes are too large, what is a good substitute?

Q: What do I use for a bail with a single pearl?

Q: Which wire works best when doing a wrapped loop necklace or earrings? Or which gauge? I want it to look delicate.

Q: I have learned to make Viking knit chain and want to move from craft wire to gold-filled, sterling silver, or fine silver. I like 26 gauge but I'm not sure if I should use dead-soft or half-hard. After weaving, I draw the wire through a drawplate to even out the weave and stretch/thin the chain. It may be drawn through 2-8 times depending on how thin I want the final result to be. Hammering would deform the chain. Any recommendations? I'm also looking for appropriate end caps for the chain.

Q: Is Zebra Wire tempered as Full/Hard, Half/Hard or Dead Soft? Is Zebra Wire suitable for projects that need to be bent and will it stay wrapped?

Q: We make silverware jewelry. We like to use gemstones in the center of our bracelets. After wearing for awhile, the wire breaks. I have tried different wire, etc. but have not solved the problem. We use the half hard 24-gauge sterling. Another jeweler suggested we try using virgin silver wire and then tumbling our pieces to work-harden. How do you tumble the finished product without damaging the stones? I cannot figure out a way to tumble the piece without the stone set. Is there a product to cover and protect the stones, etc while polishing? Also, I have tried a few different methods trying to get a gloss on polished gemstones when they are not premium grade. Is there a product that we can use on a Ruby to add luster which will harden and not damage the stone? The last one I tried I thought was the answer, however, after a few weeks the surface seem to soften. Thanks.

Q: I have been selling hand-made jewelry for about 12 years at shows and festivals. I am looking to get some new display items. I was wondering given the fact that half of my shows are outside and in the mountains, if the leatherette displays hold up better than the velvet ones? Going hand in hand what would be the best color to display brass or other mixed metal jewelry on, White or Black? I mainly have black velvet ones and they seem to collect dust and dead plant bits, which show up like there is no tomorrow when I am doing an inside show. Thoughts?

Q: If I want to make an S-hook shape out of a sterling silver round wire to join the ends of a bracelet, is half hard the best? I know that dead soft is way too soft and malleable, and I think full hard would require way too much force to be able to shape by hand with needle nose pliers.

One is a beautiful number. One sterling silver drop with peg + one half-drilled "opal" bead + one bail + one chain = one timelessly elegant pendant necklace.

Metallic Half Tila® beads stack up in this stylish lashed wrap bracelet, a strong on-going trend. Step-by-step instructions courtesy of Miyuki.

Create fun textured jewelry with the 4-in-1 half Persian chainmaille weave. Learn step by step.

Create classic post earring designs with only a peg earstud and a half-drilled bead or pearl. Simple how-to walks designers through each step.

Hemimorphite gets its name from the Greek words hemi ("half") and morph ("shape") because each end has a different shape--a quite unusual behavior in crystal formation.

An easy-open clasp which closes by inserting the decorative tab into the slot of the other half of the clasp. This easy-open, easy-close style is held closed by the weight of the finished jewelry itself. Due to their ease of opening, they are recommended for necklace designs.

Looking for a new style of chainmaille to add to your jewelry-making repertoire? Learn to create a half Persian 3-in-1 weave with these instructions.

A bead with a drill hole that only goes halfway through. Half-drilled beads are attached to various settings using a glue or other adhesive.

Complete memory wire designs stylishly with half-drilled bead ends. In this video, jewelry-making expert Tammy Honaman shares this quick-and-easy jewelry-making technique. Below the video are also full written step-by-step instructions.

Learn the basics of macramé knotting to combine in unique ways for use in jewelry-making. These techniques are surprisingly easy to master, especially with jewelry designer Jude demonstrating each knot.

To finish a strung jewelry design, try using a half-hitch knot as demonstrated in this tutorial by jewelry-making expert and educator Tammy Honaman.

Create this Christmas'y mosaic bracelet with TILA® beads in time for the holiday season.

Follow along with the creator of Wubbers® Pliers to see how the half-round mandrel pliers make it easy to form consistent shapes with jewelry wire for creating complicated designs easily and quickly.

Learn how to use half-bracelet findings in this quick demonstrative video.

A half-circle band or ring of metal which is pinched around the side or middle edge of the ear. The metal band or ring is often embossed. Some styles incorporate a dangle from the ear cuff, or a chain connected to an earstud on the same ear.

Renowned jewelry artist Sandra Lupo demonstrates how to wire wrap a freeform stone in this video tutorial that also has written instructions so you can follow along whichever way you want.

A visually complex and beautiful satin silver caterpillar chainmaille bracelet accented with Japanese Miyuki glass seed beads.

Introducing our user-friendly Tabletop Ring Stretcher, perfect for effortlessly stretching rings up to half a size without the need for heating, making your jewelry crafting a breeze!

This earring design evokes the charm of snowflakes with its intricate geometric patterns. Coppery-red seed beads complement shimmering bicones half-coated in metallic gold, offering a touch of subtle Christmas spirit or year-round wardrobe allure.

Learn how to tie a few basic knots with this set of instructions. If you’re a visual learner, the accompanying how-to video and illustrations provide demonstrations on these techniques.

If using round wire, match up the two ends of a length of wire and place the folded end over an anchored nail or into the jaws on a bench vise. If using square wire don't fold it in half, use it singularly. Place the end into a bench vise to anchor...

Transform Czech half-moon beads into a stunning amulet in this design. Learn how to make this necklace your own with this free project.

Step up your macramé game! Dive into this instructional video and discover how to effortlessly create stunning diamond patterns. Get ready to embark on a macramé adventure like never before!

Sterling silver branches with half-drilled cubic zirconia beads grace your ankle with a sense of natural sophistication.

Although it looks complex, this necklace set is actually quite simple. Basic macramé and simple loop techniques give this fantastic creation its special appearance.

The generic term for grades of steel that contain more than 10% chromium, with or without other alloying elements. Stainless steel may also have varying additions of nickel, molybdenum, titanium, niobium and other elements. Stainless steel resists corrosion, maintains its strength at high temperatures, and is easily maintained. The chromium in the steel combines with oxygen in the atmosphere to form a thin, invisible layer of chrome-containing oxide. The most common grades of stainless steel are:TYPE 304 - The most common type (chromium-nickel stainless class): accounting for more than half of the stainless steel produced in the world. This grade withstands ordinary corrosion in architecture, is durable in typical food processing environments, and resists most chemicals. Type 304 is available in virtually all product forms and finishes, including jewelry components.TYPE 316 - Also a chromium-nickel stainless class, 316 contains 2%-3% molybdenum (whereas 304 has none). The inclusion of molybdenum gives 316 greater resistance to various forms of deterioration.

Show off some crafty sophistication with chandelier earrings made from apatite gemstone beads wrapped up in eye-catching gold-finished copper wire.