BEAD STRINGING MATERIALThe bead stringing material you use will depend on the type of jewelry your making and what kind of beads you are going to be using. If you’re using metal beads or beads with sharp edges you don’t want to use silk thread as the beads will cut right through the thread. Pearls – Traditionally pearls have been strung on silk thread with knots in between each pearl to keep the pearls from rubbing on each other. You can also use a wire like Accu-flex or Beadalon as long as the wire is small enough. Amber, Coral and other beads with smooth holes – Silk, nylon, beading wire Beads with Abrasive drill holes like crystals – nylon, beading wire Metal Beads, large beads, large hole beads – beading wire, cord Silk Stringing MaterialSilk is the preferred stringing material for pearl beads. It is also great for stringing other light weight smooth holed beads like amber.American (thickest to thinnest)
Nylon Stringing MaterialSILKON BONDED NYLON (THICKEST TO THINNEST)A synthetic material that looks and drapes like silk, but resists fraying and has incredible strength. It is available in various weights as well as variety of colors. It is because of its strength and durability that silkon is primarily used for stringing beads.
NYMO NYLON THREAD Nymo nylon beading thread has become the most popular choice for working with seed beads. It provides with the benefits of being lightweight and availability in variety of thicknesses and colors.
KEVLAR Kevlar is also used widely for threading the beads. Kevlar is a very strong synthetic material. So strong, in fact, it's used to make bulletproof vests. This characteristic of Kevlar has helped it gain popularity. This thread works best for stringing and you can use any type of needle to work with it. When securing Kevlar, use a fisherman's knot to ensure its continued strength. Kevlar is naturally yellow, but can be dyed in any color using fabric dyes. Beading WireACCULON/TIGERTAILAcculon® Tigertail is a tough nylon coated stainless steel jewelry wire that is great for basic bead stringing. It is available in either 3-strand (.012-.015) or 7-strand (.018-.024) diameter.
ACCU-FLEX Accu-Flex® comes in many colors as well as the clear (silver) color. This beading wire is flexible and resists kinking unless severely bent. It can be knotted and crimped, yet is twice as strong as regular tigertail.
BEADALON Beadalon bead stringing wire is composed of tiny wires twisted together and nylon coated. The number of tiny wires, also known as strands, determines the flexibility of the wire. The larger the number of strands, the more flexible the wire will be. Therefore, 49 strands are more flexible than 19 strands, and 19 strands are more flexible than 7 strand. When choosing which type of wire to use, consider the amount of drape you want your design to have. 49 strand wires are very supple and will drape elegantly, giving your designs a thread-like appearance. 7 strand wires are not as flexible, but will hold its shape better.
SOFTFLEX Soft Flex Wire is constructed of either 21 or 49 micro woven, stainless steel wires, braided together and then nylon coated. This micro-wire technology gives you the most flexible and knot-able stainless steel in the world. It is hypoallergenic, and since Soft Flex Wire is marine quality, it can be worn in and out of salt and fresh water.
Cord Stringing MaterialElastic cord: As suggested by its name is elastic. Elastic cord is great for slip-on jewelry like bracelets, watch bands or for children's necklaces. Elastic cord can be knotted and used with beads with larger than 1mm diameter holes.Super Strength "Parachute" Necklace Cord: This is made from a super hi-tech spectra fiber that gives it less stretch than other monofilament cords. It is naturally waterproof and resistant to the sun’s damaging ultraviolet radiation. It also has a tensile strength 10 times stronger than steel, with superior abrasion resistance. C-Thru cord: Is a woven clear nylon cord like fishing line. It's widely used for clear beads, such as Austrian crystal, where you want little or no cord color to show through. It can also be used in place of nylon cord. It knots well and can be used with bead tips. Invisible Beading Cord: Is clear and nearly undetectable to the naked eye. It is used widely for illusion-style necklaces. Satin Cord: Is woven from man made fibers in three sizes: 2mm (rattail), 1.5mm (mousetail) and 1.0mm (bugtail). Macramé Beading Cord: Available in a variety of colors and resists fraying, threads smoothly and holds knots with ease, but is not colorfast. Hemp Beading Cord: Extremely uniform cord that is fray resistant knots easily and maintains shape well under normal wear. Imitation Leather Cord: A woven round cord that is stronger and more uniform than animal leather. It is made of biodegradable cotton. Takes and holds knots well and this cord is not colorfast.
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