Jewelry Making Glossary: 22 Terms Explained
The words that show up in jewelry making specs, reviews and how-to guides, explained without jargon. Open any term for the full explanation and what to look for when buying.
- Aught size (11/0)
- The sizing system for seed beads, written like 11/0, where a bigger number actually means a smaller bead.
- Read more about aught size (11/0)Related: Best Seed Beads for Beading Projects
- Bead mat
- A soft, slightly textured surface that keeps loose beads from rolling away while you work.
- Read more about bead matRelated: Best Bead Mats to Keep Beads From Rolling Away
- Bead reamer
- A small pointed tool used to smooth, widen, or clean rough bead holes before stringing.
- Read more about bead reamerRelated: Best Bead Reamers for Enlarging and Smoothing Bead Holes
- Bead spinner
- A spinning bowl tool that lets you scoop a large number of loose beads onto a needle quickly.
- Read more about bead spinner
- Beading needle
- A long, thin needle sized to pass through tiny bead holes for off-loom weaving and embroidery.
- Read more about beading needle
- Beading wire
- Flexible, nylon-coated stainless steel cable made of twisted strands, used for stringing necklaces and bracelets.
- Read more about beading wireRelated: Best Beading Wire for Strung Jewelry
- Crimp bead
- A soft metal tube squeezed flat or folded onto beading wire to anchor a clasp in place.
- Read more about crimp beadRelated: Best Crimp Beads and Crimp Tubes for Secure Beading
- Crimping pliers
- Pliers with two grooved notches that fold and round a crimp bead into a compact, secure shape.
- Read more about crimping pliers
- Cylinder beads
- Precision tube-shaped seed beads, such as Delicas, that sit flat and even in tight woven patterns.
- Read more about cylinder beads
- Extender chain
- A short length of chain added at the clasp that lets a necklace or bracelet adjust in length.
- Read more about extender chain
- Findings
- The metal components, clasps, jump rings, and earring hooks, that turn loose beads into wearable jewelry.
- Read more about findingsRelated: Best Jewelry Clasps for Handmade Necklaces and Bracelets
- Jump ring
- A small round or oval metal ring used to connect jewelry parts, opened sideways rather than pulled apart.
- Read more about jump ringRelated: Best Jump Rings for Jewelry Making: Strength and Finish Compared
- Lobster clasp
- A spring-loaded claw-shaped clasp, the most common closure used on necklaces and bracelets.
- Read more about lobster clasp
- Memory wire
- Stiff, pre-coiled steel wire that springs back into its coil shape, used for clasp-free bracelets and rings.
- Read more about memory wireRelated: Best Memory Wire for Wrap Bracelets
- Peyote stitch
- An off-loom bead weaving stitch that interlocks rows of beads into a flat or tubular fabric.
- Read more about peyote stitch
- Ring mandrel
- A tapered rod, marked with size lines, used to shape and check the size of handmade rings.
- Read more about ring mandrel
- Round nose pliers
- Pliers with tapered, cone-shaped jaws used to form consistent round loops in wire jewelry.
- Read more about round nose pliersRelated: Best Round Nose Pliers for Loops and Wire Wrapping
- Seed beads
- Small, uniform glass beads used for weaving, embroidery, and stringing, sized by the aught system.
- Read more about seed beadsRelated: Best Seed Beads for Beading Projects
- Silk cord
- A soft traditional cord, mainly used for knotting pearls and gemstone beads between each one.
- Read more about silk cord
- Stretch cord
- Elastic cord used for clasp-free bracelets, finished with a secure knot instead of a metal crimp.
- Read more about stretch cordRelated: Best Elastic Cord for Stretch Bracelets
- Wire gauge
- The standardized measurement of wire thickness, where a higher gauge number means thinner wire.
- Read more about wire gauge
- Wrapped loop
- A wire loop finished by coiling the tail wire around itself, sturdier than a simple hook-style loop.
- Read more about wrapped loop