Ask the Experts Wire Q&A

What is the difference between German Craft Wire and Artistic Craft Wire and which is better?

- Tawana

Artistic Wire® is a trademarked brand of colored copper wire for wire-wrapping. Wrapit® Wire is a wire manufactured exclusively for Fire Mountain Gems and Beads. Wrapit wire is available in nickel silver, commonly called German silver that emulates the gleam of sterling silver with subtle undertones of golden brass (and consists of 65% copper, 18% nickel and 17% zinc) with a clear protective coating. Wrapit wire is also available in Jeweler's Bronze (85% copper and 15% zinc) and Bright Copper (99% copper and 1% alloy). Color-coated copper wire like Fire Mountain Gems’ Zebra Wire™ is available in natural and vivid colors in a wide range of gauges and spool sizes. The copper wire is coated multiple times with colored enamel to provide a durable, glossy finish.

The metallic colors of gold, silver and natural are not enameled.

• Gold color is made of raw brass
• Silver color is copper with a silver finish
• Natural is made of raw copper

- Michelle Wood, Jewelry-Making Expert