Ask the Experts Findings Q&A

Is it better to use a 3mm crimp for a beading wire necklace or will a 2mm crimp suffice?  If I use a 3mm crimp, do I use a 3mm crimp bead or should I use a bead that is 1mm larger?  Same for a 2mm crimp - use a 2mm crimp bead to cover the 2mm crimp? Thank you in advance.

Our favorite way to professionally crimp beading wires like Accuflex® professional-quality beading wire, Beadalon® or Acculon® is to use a 2mm sterling silver crimp tube. They are more malleable than base metal crimp beads, so they crimp easier and are less prone to breakage. It makes a big difference in the durability of the piece. A 3mm or 4mm crimp cover is standard to cover a 2mm crimp bead, depending upon the side of “bead” you want to achieve with the cover.

- Elaine