Steel VS Copper Wire for Jewelry Making

[@susanroberts]

Thank you Heather. You’ve taught me so much about wire and wire crafting. I appreciate everything you’ve taught me so far. You’re the best! 💝🥰🤗

[@HeatherBoydWire]

I'm so happy Susan.

[@KarolinaDubnicka]

A few months ago I bought 16 gauge (around 1.25mm) steel wire with zinc coating at my hardware store to just practice making rings. I quickly realized that I also got free hand workout :D Thank you for this video!

[@HeatherBoydWire]

Yes, that is very thick and steel is super hard!

[@Lene61]

😂

[@Lene61]

Thank you so much. I just ordered some stainless steel wire, 0.4, and hope it will be strong enough for ear wires. Hugs 🥰 from Denmark 🇩🇰. Lene

[@HeatherBoydWire]

You are very welcome. I also use half hard Argentium silver to make ear wires. Good luck.

[@Lene61]

@@HeatherBoydWire I had to google argentinum, I didn’t know that wire. Of course I know it’s the word for silver (ag). It seems a little cheaper than Sterling, or am I wrong? And it’s not easy to find shops where they sell it. But I found one here In Denmark. Will definately take a closer look 😄. Thanks again for giving me new knowledge 🥰. Lene 🇩🇰

[@alister2755]

I started making rings for me and my partner out of some old copper coated steel wore for a night welder haha its been rather tough metal but simply entwining a few strands together then using a gas torch to heat it I could get it to take the flat shape I wanted unfortunately I don't get the orange copper look so im gonna try spray paint it a black and see how that turns out haha

[@HeatherBoydWire]

That's really cool. I've spray painted wire before with a few light coats of acrylic enamel. Good luck!

[@iwant2bback]

I love your channel ❤

[@HeatherBoydWire]

Thank you so much.

[@veronicaoliveira7327]

What type and size of stainless steel wire do you suggest for making wire wrap links for a necklace?

[@HeatherBoydWire]

I have Artistic Wire stainless steel. You can use 18 or 20 gauge.

[@tru20luv]

I have some wire I purchased from Home Depot it’s galvanized steel wire can you wrap stones with that ?

[@HeatherBoydWire]

I believe it is safe for jewelry but may tarnish. You can Google for more info. Good luck.

[@IndieJo]

Thank you

[@HeatherBoydWire]

You are very welcome

[@TheVetusMores]

I'm trying to make _wire wrapped loops_ with 20 ga. stainless steel, and finding it incredibly difficult to make neat wraps -- all because the steel is just so stiff (other wires, like sterling silver, are soft enough to make neat, tight wraps). But I'm a beginner. Can anyone with experience confirm whether I'm wasting my time trying to do that with stainless steel? Or is it something that will eventually come with practice?

[@HeatherBoydWire]

I definitely would not start with steel as a beginner. I love the Artistic copper wire which is tarnish resistant and comes in many colours. 20g is my go-to size. Good luck.

[@tishsmiddy71]

Practice helps and your watching someone that truly wants you to Succeed ! So don’t give up but practice with copper , I suggest ! I use22gauge Stainless steel if I can’t use 16 gauge copper for foundation

[@bluelily8289]

Spool tamers! Stops the unspooling, and you don't have to fiddle with the little holes in the spool. They are adjustable, so they fit on larger or smaller spools - I actually have one on one of the small artistic wire spools, and one on a spool that is probably the same diameter as the trolling wire one, with gauges from 18 to 36, and a variety of metals. These have been a huge help to me taming the wires, hopefully, it can help others. They are made by for fishing lines and thread spools too. The ones I specifically bought were made by beadalon - in a 25 pack.

[@HeatherBoydWire]

Great suggestion Blue Lily. Sure beats broccoli elastics!

[@nancygingery3800]

Do you use Aluminum wire at all ?? What are good wires that are easy to wrap in use but you can harden then ??

[@HeatherBoydWire]

I use aluminum for some of my tutorials. You can work harden copper but not aluminum!

[@nakoharo8617]

does stainless steel tarnish? is it good for making rings and bracelets. does it change color too?

[@HeatherBoydWire]

Stainless steel does not tarnish but is quite stiff and can be hard to work with.

[@NICEPRICEVICESPLICE]

Will tying these in knots compromise the integrity and make these easy to break? And how much weight can these hold?

[@HeatherBoydWire]

Steel wire is very hard and it may be difficult to tie a knot with it. Copper is more flexible.

[@pyteo]

Thank you. this is very helpful!!

[@HeatherBoydWire]

You are very welcome.

[@almir.e.alstar]

Thank you Heather mam for sharing. 😊 This video is super helpful! 🤗

[@HeatherBoydWire]

I'm so happy Alman!

[@almir.e.alstar]

🤗

[@ArtyCat]

I’m so confused ! I’ve purchased and trialled so many of these tarnish resistant artistic wires and they’ve all tarnished, borne copper, or have revealed green. I’ve tried to start using stainless steel but it’s so difficult to bend! I want to sell only high quality Jewellery that doesn’t tarnish but am struggling to find a solution here. I’ve been trying to make findings with 0.8 stainless steel, shall I just go down to 0.6 or 0.7?

[@HeatherBoydWire]

The Artistic wire shouldn't tarnish unless you are wearing it in the shower/pool or if your skin is very acidic. For selling jewelry I use Argentium silver for my higher end items and aluminum wire with surgical steel earring hooks for my regular items I sell on Etsy. Good luck.

[@jude1515]

I bought a roll of steel wire at a hardware store. I didn’t properly read the package so when I opened it the wire was very hard and almost unworkable. The wire looks like copper. Can I heat this wire to soften it a bit?

[@HeatherBoydWire]

I think you need to heat it to a very high temperature. If you search google you will have some answers. It may not be worth the work. Good luck.

[@jude1515]

@@HeatherBoydWire Sure and thank you. I’ll try that. I agree that it may not be worth the work.

[@jmikronis7376]

Steel wire becomes soft when heated to red hot conditions. Once it becomes soft, it remains soft.

[@jessicamorales6112]

So the Atistic wire 20 gauge is good for making rings? Ok so it does not tarnish or make ur finger green?

[@HeatherBoydWire]

The tarnish resistant wire has a plastic coating. It is protected, but if you have acidic or sensitive skin you may want to stick with silver.

[@lakshmipriyas4292]

Tq so much mam i learn well ❤

[@HeatherBoydWire]

Thank you.

[@tishsmiddy71]

When you say color the copper wire what do you mean often aged or suffer stuff? Or can buy manufactured color wire ? ❤️

[@HeatherBoydWire]

You can buy Artistic copper wire in many colours by the Beadalon company.

[@tishsmiddy71]

Thank you ☺️ I needed to understand this... 🤟🏻❤️💋

[@HeatherBoydWire]

You are very welcome Tish. Happy holidays!

[@nattsurfaren]

Can you apply heat treatment on the steel wire to harden it?

[@HeatherBoydWire]

I'm not sure, I've never tried that. It might work.

[@jmikronis7376]

Heating steel wire (to red hot), will soften it. Heating it then immediately put it in a cold or ice bath (to quickly cool it off), will give it a surface hardness. Steel wire is made hard by drawing it through dies (that is how industry does it).

[@katielunny3001]

I bought a steel wire. But it looks like the shininess is going dull, and turning a dark grey colour :/ any advice or info on this ? Thank you

[@HeatherBoydWire]

Hi Katie. I think steel wire can go dull but won't rust and should be easily cleaned with a polishing cloth. It might depend if there are other alloys in the wire. Stainless steel shouldn't tarnish. Good luck.

[@katielunny3001]

@@HeatherBoydWire Thank you so much for that helpful tip Heather! You are right!!! i found out that steel and stainless steel are different things! Steel will turn and fade but stainless steel is perfect! i actually came across Aluminum wire as well! glad my tarnishing problem is solved!! thanks again :)

[@cyrilproudbottom]

Thanks for the comparison. I subscribed 🙂

[@HeatherBoydWire]

Thanks so much for subscribing.

[@shikizim]

Conna Gray: I wish I was Heather Me: Yes dude , me too ....

[@HeatherBoydWire]

LOL.

[@AKingZWldAQu33nZUnVZ]

Heather Out Of Curiosity Do You Think Paper Clips Are Made Of Steel Wire The Larger Size Ones Can Be Hard When Making Twist Or Fancy Designs But I Also Noticed The Smaller Ones Are Not As Bad But You Lose Length Choices Options Opportunities I Trying And Experimenting Over Here Can't Wait To Share🤔🤔🤔🙆🏾‍♀

[@HeatherBoydWire]

Paperclips are made of galvanized steel (ie. thin coating of zinc to protect from corrosion and rust) but the smaller ones are a thinner gauge.

[@naomidipotaroeno6356]

Do you seal the stainless steel wires?

[@HeatherBoydWire]

No I don't!

[@shahinaayub5766]

❤