Jewellery Wire and Thread

Beading Wire for Crystal Jewellery Making

Nylon coated beading wire is the professional standard for stringing crystal beads and pearls in necklaces and bracelets, combining the strength and kink resistance of stainless steel with a smooth nylon coating that protects beads from abrasion. All beading wire in this range must be finished with crimp beads to secure clasps and findings.

• Beadalon 7 Strand Stainless Steel Wire — 7-strand stainless steel wire with a nylon coating, available in three thicknesses: 0.012" (0.31mm) for fine crystal beads and pearls, 0.018" (0.46mm) for general crystal bead and pearl stringing, and 0.024" (0.60mm) for heavier beads and statement designs. The most widely used beading wire for Swarovski, Serinity and Preciosa crystal bead jewellery.
• Acculon Nylon Coated Beading Wire 3 Strand — a flexible 3-strand nylon coated beading wire suited to lightweight crystal bead and pearl designs where maximum flexibility and drape are the priority. Available in 0.012" (0.31mm).
• Acculon Nylon Coated Beading Wire 7 Strand — a 7-strand nylon coated beading wire delivering greater strength and kink resistance than the 3-strand version, suited to heavier crystal bead designs. Available in multiple thicknesses across Silver/Bright finish.

Beading Thread for Bead Weaving and Embroidery

Beading thread is used for bead weaving techniques including peyote stitch, brick stitch and right-angle weave, bead embroidery and stringing crystal pearls with knots between each pearl for a classic knotted pearl necklace finish.

• Fireline Braided Beading Thread — an ultra-strong braided polyethylene thread widely considered the professional standard for bead weaving and bead embroidery with crystal beads. Available in Clear and Black. Clear suits transparent and light-coloured crystal beads. Black suits dark crystal colours and projects where the thread will be partially visible within the design.
• Nymo Thread — a flat nylon beading thread widely used for bead weaving, loom work and bead embroidery. Lightweight and flexible with good knot strength. Available in White and Black.
• Griffin Silk Thread — the traditional professional standard for knotted pearl necklaces and bracelets, with a pre-attached needle for easy threading. The natural silk fibre produces a soft, flexible knot that sits cleanly between each pearl for a classic finished result. Available in White and Black in Size 4 (0.6mm).

Elastic and Illusion Cord

• Beadalon Elasticity Thread — a clear elastic stretch cord for making stretch bracelets with crystal beads and pearls. Available in 0.5mm, suited to most standard crystal bead hole sizes. Simply string beads onto the cord, tie a secure knot and the bracelet stretches to fit any wrist without a clasp.
• Monofilament Illusion Cord — a clear nylon monofilament cord for creating floating illusion necklaces where the stringing material is virtually invisible between beads. Available in Clear and Black. Clear creates a floating crystal effect. Black creates a contemporary suspended bead effect against dark necklines.

Memory Wire

Memory wire is spring-hardened stainless steel wire that retains its coiled circular shape after use, creating self-closing bracelets and necklaces that require no clasp. Available in two formats suited to different jewellery types:

• Silver Plated Memory Wire for Bracelets — a tighter coil diameter suited to wrist-sized crystal bead bracelets. Simply string crystal beads onto the wire and finish each end with a memory wire end cap or a turned loop using memory wire cutters.
• Silver Plated Memory Wire for Necklaces — a larger coil diameter suited to neck-sized crystal bead necklaces and chokers.

Memory wire must always be cut using dedicated memory wire cutters. Never use standard side cutters on memory wire as the hardness of the wire will permanently damage standard cutter blades. Memory wire cutters are available in our jewellery pliers collection.

Craft Wire for Wire Wrapping and Wirework

Artistic Wire is a high-quality craft wire for wire wrapping, wire weaving, making findings and creating wirework jewellery components. Available in two non-tarnish finishes across 24, 26 and 28 gauge:

• Artistic Wire Non Tarnish Silver — a bright silver-toned wire suited to contemporary wirework and wire-wrapped crystal bead designs. Available in 24 gauge (15 yards), 26 gauge and 28 gauge.
• Artistic Wire Non Tarnish Brass — a warm gold-toned wire suited to vintage-inspired and warm-toned wirework designs. Available in 24 gauge (20 yards), 26 gauge and 28 gauge.

For wire wrapping with crystal beads and pendants, 26 and 28 gauge are the most widely used gauges for wrapping loops and coils around crystal components. 24 gauge suits structural elements including rings, frames and heavier wrapped components where greater rigidity is required.

Which Wire or Thread Should I Use?

The right wire or thread depends on the jewellery making technique being used. For strung crystal bead necklaces and bracelets finished with a clasp, Beadalon or Acculon nylon coated beading wire with crimp beads is the professional standard. For stretch bracelets, Beadalon Elasticity cord is the simplest and most reliable method. For floating illusion necklaces, monofilament illusion cord creates the most effective invisible stringing result. For bead weaving and bead embroidery, Fireline is the strongest and most widely used thread. For knotted pearl necklaces, Griffin silk thread with the pre-attached needle is the traditional professional choice. For memory wire bracelets and necklaces, silver plated memory wire requires no clasp and no findings beyond end caps.

Complete Your Jewellery Making Range

Jewellery wire and thread work alongside crystal beads and pearls from Swarovski, Serinity and Preciosa for strung jewellery designs. For crimp beads, clasps, headpins, eyepins and jump rings to complete strung designs, browse our jewellery findings collection. For pliers including crimping pliers and memory wire cutters, visit our jewellery pliers collection. For crystal adhesives and application tools, browse our rhinestone glue collection. For step-by-step jewellery making guides and project tutorials, visit the Bluestreak Craft Studio.

Why Buy Jewellery Wire and Thread from Bluestreak?

• Specifically selected for crystal jewellery making — every wire and thread in the range is chosen to work with Swarovski, Serinity, Preciosa and Estella crystal beads and pearls
• Complete range in one place — beading wire, braided thread, silk thread, elastic cord, memory wire, illusion cord and craft wire alongside crystals from a single supplier
• Trusted brands — Beadalon, Acculon, Fireline, Griffin, Nymo, Beadsmith and Artistic Wire — the professional standard brands for jewellery making worldwide
• Fast dispatch — majority of orders shipped same or next working day
• Worldwide shipping — reliable international delivery with tracked options and express USA delivery in 2 to 5 days
• No minimum order — buy individual spools or multiple products in one order with no minimum order requirement
• Expert guidance — jewellery making guides and technique advice available through the Bluestreak Craft Studio