Best Head Pins and Eye Pins for Earrings and Bead Dangles
Head pins and eye pins turn loose beads into dangles and links. A head pin has a flat or ball stop at one end, so a bead sits on it while you form a loop at the top. An eye pin starts with a loop, so the finished piece can connect at both ends. Three specs decide whether a pin works for your beads. Gauge: 24 gauge wire (about 0.5 mm) fits pearls and small-hole stones, while 21 to 22 gauge (0.6 to 0.7 mm) holds its shape better in a simple loop. Length: 2 inches (50 mm) is the all-purpose size and leaves enough wire for a wrapped loop, while 1 to 1.5 inches suits single small beads. Metal: plated iron is cheap and stiff, brass forms more easily, stainless steel resists tarnish, and sterling silver is the choice for pieces sold as fine jewelry. This guide compares eight options across those ranges, from bulk assortments for practice to solid silver ball pins.
The short version
We compared 7 picks. Our scores range from 6.9 to 8.6 out of 10.
- Best overall:PH PandaHall 560pcs 8 Styles 304 Stainless Steel Eye Pins 30mm 40mm 50mm Head Pins 22 Gauge Ball Head Pin Findings Open Eye Pin for Earring Bracelet Pendant Jewelry Making, Stainless Steel Color. Highest overall score in this guide at 8.6/10.
- Also great value:500Pcs Ball Head Pins for Jewelry Making, Stainless Steel Long 50mm Silver Ball Head Pins Jewelry Findings Bendable Headpin for Earring Pendant Bracelet Necklace Jewelrys DIY Craft, Head: 2mm. Value score of 9/10, overall 8.0/10.
- Solid build:20pcs Adabele Real Sterling Silver Ball Head Pins 50mm/2 inch, 22 Gauge. Build and materials score of 9/10, overall 8.2/10.
- Feature-rich:FIVEIZERO 900 PCS Eye Pins, Head Pins and Ball Pins, Gold & Silver, 3 Size. Features score of 7/10, overall 7.6/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
PH PandaHall 560pcs 8 Styles 304 Stainless Steel Eye Pins 30mm 40mm 50mm Head Pins 22 Gauge Ball Head Pin Findings Open Eye Pin for Earring Bracelet Pendant Jewelry Making, Stainless Steel Color
PandaHall's box holds 560 stainless steel pins in 8 styles, 70 of each: eye pins in 30, 40 and 50 mm, plus flat head pins and ball head pins in 30 and 40 mm, in 0.6 to 0.7 mm wire.
20pcs Adabele Real Sterling Silver Ball Head Pins 50mm/2 inch, 22 Gauge
Twenty solid 925 sterling silver ball head pins from Adabele, 2 inches (50 mm) long in 22 gauge (0.6 mm) wire with a 1.5 mm ball. The pick for earrings and pendants sold or gifted as real silver jewelry.
#1PandaHall's box holds 560 stainless steel pins in 8 styles, 70 of each: eye pins in 30, 40 and 50 mm, plus flat head pins and ball head pins in 30 and 40 mm, in 0.6 to 0.7 mm wire.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + 304 stainless steel does not rely on plating, so there is no coating to wear through
- + Eye pins, flat head pins and ball pins in several lengths cover most earring and link constructions
- + Sorted in a clear compartment box with 70 pins per style
- - Stainless steel is stiffer than brass or silver and takes more effort to form into neat loops
- - Steel color only, so it will not match gold-tone or sterling silver findings
#2Twenty solid 925 sterling silver ball head pins from Adabele, 2 inches (50 mm) long in 22 gauge (0.6 mm) wire with a 1.5 mm ball. The pick for earrings and pendants sold or gifted as real silver jewelry.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 6/10
- + Solid sterling silver, described as hypoallergenic, nickel free and lead free
- + 22 gauge wire is sturdy enough for simple loops and fits bead holes of about 0.8 mm and up
- + Listing states every dimension and includes a material certificate
- - The highest cost per pin in this guide, so it makes sense to practice loops on plated pins first
- - Small 1.5 mm ball can slip through large-hole beads without a spacer or bead cap
#3500 ball head pins in 304 stainless steel, each 50 mm long in 0.7 mm (21 gauge) wire with a 2 mm ball, packed in a plastic box. A bulk option for makers who use ball pins on nearly every earring.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + 21 gauge stainless wire holds a simple loop firmly, useful for heavier glass and stone beads
- + 2 mm ball is large enough to stop most standard bead holes without a spacer
- + 500 pins of one consistent size at a low price per pin
- - 0.7 mm wire will not pass through pearls and other beads with very small holes
- - One size and one color from a little-known brand, in stiff steel that is harder to wrap
#4Beadalon's standard flat head pins: 108 silver plated pins, 2 inches (50.8 mm) long in 0.5 mm (.020 inch) wire. A thin, general-purpose pin that passes through small-hole beads and pearls.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + 0.5 mm wire fits pearls, small gemstones and other beads with narrow holes
- + 2 inch length leaves enough wire above the bead for a simple or wrapped loop
- + 108 pins from a long-established beading brand at a low price per pin
- - Thin 0.5 mm wire bends easily, so simple loops can pull open under heavy beads
- - Silver plated finish, and the listing does not say what the base metal is
#5A 900-piece assortment from FIVEIZERO with eye pins, flat head pins and ball head pins in gold and silver tones and three lengths (1.2, 1.6 and 2 inches). Ball pins are copper, the eye and flat pins are iron.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 9/10
- + All three pin types in both gold and silver tones, so one box matches most findings
- + Three lengths from 1.2 to 2 inches cover single-bead drops through wrapped loops
- + 900 pieces at a low price make it a low-risk pack for learning loops
- - Eye pins and flat head pins are iron, which can rust if the finish wears through
- - The listing does not give the wire gauge for any of the pins
#6The Beadsmith's extra-long head pins: 144 gold plated brass pins, 4 inches long in 21 gauge (.029 inch) wire. The extra length is for long bead stacks, tassel-style drops and generous wrapped loops.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 6/10
- + 4 inch length handles tall bead stacks and leaves plenty of wire for multi-wrap loops
- + Brass core forms smooth loops more easily than iron or steel pins
- + A full gross of 144 pins from an established beading tool brand
- - Costs more than most bulk packs, and much of each pin is trimmed off on short dangles
- - Gold plated finish only in this listing, with no silver-tone option
#7A 24-piece pack of Beadalon ball head pins, 50 mm long with a medium ball end and nickel free silver plating. The round ball gives dangles a more finished look than a flat head.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 5/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 7/10
- + Ball end reads as a decorative detail at the bottom of an earring or pendant drop
- + Nickel free plating is a plus for earrings worn by people with sensitive skin
- + 50 mm length suits wrapped loops and stacks of two or three beads
- - Only 24 pins per pack, so the price per pin is far higher than bulk packs
- - Wire gauge and ball diameter are not stated in the listing
Before you buy: trade-offs we flagged
No pick is perfect. These are the main compromises we noted for the top products in this guide, so you can check they will not matter for you.
- Stainless steel is stiffer than brass or silver and takes more effort to form into neat loops (PH PandaHall 560pcs 8 Styles 304 Stainless...)
- The highest cost per pin in this guide, so it makes sense to practice loops on plated pins first (20pcs Adabele Real Sterling Silver Ball Head...)
- 0.7 mm wire will not pass through pearls and other beads with very small holes (500Pcs Ball Head Pins for Jewelry Making,...)
- Thin 0.5 mm wire bends easily, so simple loops can pull open under heavy beads (Beadalon Head Pins, 2.0 in / 50.8 mm, Wire...)
- Eye pins and flat head pins are iron, which can rust if the finish wears through (FIVEIZERO 900 PCS Eye Pins, Head Pins and...)
- Costs more than most bulk packs, and much of each pin is trimmed off on short dangles (144 Head Pins .029dia X 4 Inch Gold Plating...)
Frequently asked questions
›What is the best choice among head pins and eye pins for earrings and bead dangles?
PH PandaHall 560pcs 8 Styles 304 Stainless Steel Eye Pins 30mm 40mm 50mm Head Pins 22 Gauge Ball Head Pin Findings Open Eye Pin for Earring Bracelet Pendant Jewelry Making, Stainless Steel Color is our top overall pick. PandaHall's box holds 560 stainless steel pins in 8 styles, 70 of each: eye pins in 30, 40 and 50 mm, plus flat head pins and ball head pins in 30 and 40 mm, in 0.6 to 0.7 mm wire. It earns our score of 8.6/10, based on fit for the job, features, build and value.
›What is a good budget option?
20pcs Adabele Real Sterling Silver Ball Head Pins 50mm/2 inch, 22 Gauge is the strongest low-cost pick in this guide. Twenty solid 925 sterling silver ball head pins from Adabele, 2 inches (50 mm) long in 22 gauge (0.6 mm) wire with a 1.5 mm ball. The pick for earrings and pendants sold or gifted as real silver jewelry.
›How much should I expect to spend?
Picks in this guide span See on Amazon price bands (roughly: $ = under $30, $$ = $30 to $100, $$$ = over $100). We never display exact prices because they change constantly, so the buttons above always show Amazon's current price.
›How were these products chosen?
We shortlist products that fit the job this guide solves and compare their published specifications, such as size, capacity, materials and what is included. Each pick gets an editorial score out of 10 for fit, features, build and value, and we write the pros and cons from those details. Our score is not an Amazon customer rating. We earn a commission if you buy through our links, which never affects the ranking.
Beading Nest independently selects every product; we may earn a commission from links above.
Popular right now
- Seed Bead Size ChartArticle
- Choosing Beading WireArticle
- Best Bead Reamers for Enlarging and Smoothing Bead HolesBuying guide
- Best Bead Spinners for Fast Seed Bead StringingBuying guide
- Best Crimp Beads and Crimp Tubes for Secure BeadingBuying guide
- Making Jewelry to SellArticle
Based on the last 28 days of search and visitor data.