Gauge Round Dead
jewelry makers, i need help!! I’m looking for Sterling Silver wire?
http://novenarosary.com/bracelet/connemaraSS.htm
I want to make this for my mom, but I’m not sure what gauge wire I should get. In the description is says “sterling Silver Wire“, so I went to a website were they sell it and there are so many different options. “round Dead Soft” “half round Half Hard” what does it all mean and what should I get?
If you want to do it with wire get Round Dead soft 20 or 22 gauge sterling silver wire. When deciding on a wire gauge the larger the number the smaller wire. For example 16 gauge wire is thicker than 20 gauge. Hard, half hard and dead soft refers to the softness of the wire, or how easy it bends. As you bend wire to make the jewelry it gets harder. So if you start with soft wire it will be easier to work and by the time you are done it will have hardened for the most part. Sometimes finished jewelry is put in a tumbler to harden it more if needed.