Stringing Guide
Part 1: String, string, everywhere! How to tell which one to use.
Whatever material you select to string with, the most important consideration is that it will fit through the bead’s
hole and is used as it was intended. For instance, Gudebrod silk should be at least doubled. Today's beads,
especially gemstones and pearls, are sold by the manufacturers by weight. Therefore, they drill the tiniest hole
possible so their profits don’t end up on the floor. Be sure to look at and test (if possible), the hole size before
committing to the stringing materials.
If you're not sure which is best for your beads, ask someone in the know. Bring them into The Bead Shop (or your
local beading supply store will do), or call our staff at (650) 383 3408.
hole and is used as it was intended. For instance, Gudebrod silk should be at least doubled. Today's beads,
especially gemstones and pearls, are sold by the manufacturers by weight. Therefore, they drill the tiniest hole
possible so their profits don’t end up on the floor. Be sure to look at and test (if possible), the hole size before
committing to the stringing materials.
If you're not sure which is best for your beads, ask someone in the know. Bring them into The Bead Shop (or your
local beading supply store will do), or call our staff at (650) 383 3408.
A list of common stringing materials and their most common uses:
- Straight Stringing:
For years, the only product available in the wire category for stringing beads was Tiger Tail. Well, those days are
long gone! There are so many new additions to the "straight stringing" categories....We now have Soft Flex,
Beadalon and Griffin Jewelry Wire. Each product has some similarities and differences. And, each beader will find
the right mix of products for their own needs. Please be aware that every strung project will eventually need
restringing. The materials do stretch and weaken over time, so be sure to restring all your jewelry every few years
to minimize breakages. "But my grandmother's necklaces have never broken", is a common question we get. It's
quite likely your vintage pieces were strung on cat-gut, which is no longer available on the market (poor kitties!). It
had a much longer life (pardon the pun) than modern stringing materials.
Never, ever string your beads on materials not designed for it. A lot of beginning beaders try to string on craft wire,
or sterling or gold-filled 24 gauge wire. Not only will your project be stiff, but the wire is not designed to take the
weight and movement of strung beads. As soon as a kink forms, your beads will end up all over the floor.
Unless you are planning to knot between your beads, or you really need the softness of thread for your design,
you should always use a jewelry stringing wire over silk or nylon. Stringing wires are much stronger and longer
lasting.
Here are our recommendations:
long gone! There are so many new additions to the "straight stringing" categories....We now have Soft Flex,
Beadalon and Griffin Jewelry Wire. Each product has some similarities and differences. And, each beader will find
the right mix of products for their own needs. Please be aware that every strung project will eventually need
restringing. The materials do stretch and weaken over time, so be sure to restring all your jewelry every few years
to minimize breakages. "But my grandmother's necklaces have never broken", is a common question we get. It's
quite likely your vintage pieces were strung on cat-gut, which is no longer available on the market (poor kitties!). It
had a much longer life (pardon the pun) than modern stringing materials.
Never, ever string your beads on materials not designed for it. A lot of beginning beaders try to string on craft wire,
or sterling or gold-filled 24 gauge wire. Not only will your project be stiff, but the wire is not designed to take the
weight and movement of strung beads. As soon as a kink forms, your beads will end up all over the floor.
Unless you are planning to knot between your beads, or you really need the softness of thread for your design,
you should always use a jewelry stringing wire over silk or nylon. Stringing wires are much stronger and longer
lasting.
Here are our recommendations:
Soft Flex .014: Fits through most gemstones, freshwater pearls and glass beads. This should be the staple
stringing material in ever beader's supply cabinet. Originally created for the marine industry, this stainless steel,
nylon-coated wire is extremely strong, and has plenty of movement.
stringing material in ever beader's supply cabinet. Originally created for the marine industry, this stainless steel,
nylon-coated wire is extremely strong, and has plenty of movement.
Soft Flex .019-.024: This works well for heavier beads like large glass beads, or those that have particularly
large holes, like wood beads. Always use the largest wire that will comfortably fit.
large holes, like wood beads. Always use the largest wire that will comfortably fit.
- Float Necklaces
A Float Necklace in Garnet
Gem or pearl floats are such a great idea to add color and bulk to a
necklace, without adding weight. There are a number of ways to create a
float necklace. Check out our Floating Spaces and Tin Cup handouts for
two of our favorite methods.
Depending on the technique you plan to use, the best materials are:
Beadalon .010 for the Floating Spaces-style float. (SEE OUR TIPS
SECTION) or use a micro crimp bead on either side of your bead units.
Griffin Woven Silk in a size 2 for the Tin Cup method where you knot
around the beads
necklace, without adding weight. There are a number of ways to create a
float necklace. Check out our Floating Spaces and Tin Cup handouts for
two of our favorite methods.
Depending on the technique you plan to use, the best materials are:
Beadalon .010 for the Floating Spaces-style float. (SEE OUR TIPS
SECTION) or use a micro crimp bead on either side of your bead units.
Griffin Woven Silk in a size 2 for the Tin Cup method where you knot
around the beads
- Knotting
As a general guide:
Size D, 2, 3, 4 - Good for small freshwater pearls, cultured pearls or gemstones
Size E, 4, 5 - Good for larger freshwater pearls, cultured pearls or gemstones
Size F, 5, 6 - Good for gemstones, glass and other beads with medium to large sized holes
Size D, 2, 3, 4 - Good for small freshwater pearls, cultured pearls or gemstones
Size E, 4, 5 - Good for larger freshwater pearls, cultured pearls or gemstones
Size F, 5, 6 - Good for gemstones, glass and other beads with medium to large sized holes
Gudebrod Silk: This silk thread should always be doubled. This is best for standard pearl
knotting. See our Pearl Knotting handout.
Size D: Good for smaller freshwater pearls, cultured pearls or gemstones. Sold on 25.6
Meter card
Size E: Good for larger freshwater pearls and gemstones. Sold on 21.9 Meter card
Size F: Good for gemstones, glass, and other beads with medium to large sized holes. Sold
on 18.3 Meter card
knotting. See our Pearl Knotting handout.
Size D: Good for smaller freshwater pearls, cultured pearls or gemstones. Sold on 25.6
Meter card
Size E: Good for larger freshwater pearls and gemstones. Sold on 21.9 Meter card
Size F: Good for gemstones, glass, and other beads with medium to large sized holes. Sold
on 18.3 Meter card
Silk Thread With Needle (eg Griffin)
This thread is sold with the needle attached to the end of a 2 meter length. There is
enough thread for two to three necklaces. This can be used for knotting between each
bead, or making pearl floats. You will need bent nose tweezers to work with this.
Size 2: Use for small gemstones, cultured pearls and fine float necklaces.
Size 3: Use for small freshwater pearls.
Size 4: Fits most small to medium freshwater pearls.
Size 5: Fits medium to large freshwater pearls.
Size 6: Fits very large holes.
This thread is sold with the needle attached to the end of a 2 meter length. There is
enough thread for two to three necklaces. This can be used for knotting between each
bead, or making pearl floats. You will need bent nose tweezers to work with this.
Size 2: Use for small gemstones, cultured pearls and fine float necklaces.
Size 3: Use for small freshwater pearls.
Size 4: Fits most small to medium freshwater pearls.
Size 5: Fits medium to large freshwater pearls.
Size 6: Fits very large holes.
Hint: Silk tends to stretch. Before stringing anything on it, gently stretch it either by hand, or by hanging a
weight from it overnight.
weight from it overnight.
Beadalon .010:Ideal for gemstones with very small holes. When stringing emeralds, rubies and other high
quality, expensive stones without knots, wire is the best way to go. Beadalon also looks great curled. Be careful
when stringing with it to avoid unwanted curls.
quality, expensive stones without knots, wire is the best way to go. Beadalon also looks great curled. Be careful
when stringing with it to avoid unwanted curls.
No Stretch Nylon Thread, Nymo, and Superlon
Size 2-thin, use it double for smaller gemstone beads. Sold on 26 yards on one card.
Size 4-medium, use it double for glass beads & larger pearls. Sold on 22 yards on one
card.
Size 6-thick, use it single for multi-strand woven jewelry or use it double with heavier,
large-holed beads. Sold on 18 yards on one card.
Nymo and Superlon are great for advanced knotters where gemstone bead holes vary.
You can also mix the colors to create more interesting effects.
Size 2-thin, use it double for smaller gemstone beads. Sold on 26 yards on one card.
Size 4-medium, use it double for glass beads & larger pearls. Sold on 22 yards on one
card.
Size 6-thick, use it single for multi-strand woven jewelry or use it double with heavier,
large-holed beads. Sold on 18 yards on one card.
Nymo and Superlon are great for advanced knotters where gemstone bead holes vary.
You can also mix the colors to create more interesting effects.
Part 3: Crimp, Tips, and Endings
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