Jewelry Making Glossary: 15 Terms Explained
The words that show up in jewelry making specs, reviews and how-to guides, explained without jargon.
- Aught size (11/0)
- The sizing system for seed beads. A bigger number means a smaller bead.
- Related: Best Seed Beads for Beading Projects →
- Bead mat
- A soft surface that stops beads from rolling away.
- Related: Best Bead Mats to Keep Beads From Rolling Away →
- Bead reamer
- A tool that smooths or enlarges bead holes.
- Related: Best Bead Reamers for Enlarging and Smoothing Bead Holes →
- Beading wire
- Flexible nylon-coated stainless steel cable for stringing necklaces and bracelets.
- Related: Best Beading Wire for Strung Jewelry →
- Crimp bead
- A soft metal tube squeezed onto beading wire to secure a clasp.
- Related: Best Crimp Beads and Crimp Tubes for Secure Beading →
- Cylinder beads
- Precise tube-shaped seed beads like Delicas that sit flat and even in woven patterns.
- Findings
- The metal components that turn beads into jewelry, such as clasps, jump rings and earring hooks.
- Related: Best Jewelry Clasps for Handmade Necklaces and Bracelets →
- Jump ring
- A small metal ring used to connect components. Open it sideways with two pliers to keep its shape.
- Related: Best Jump Rings for Jewelry Making: Strength and Finish Compared →
- Memory wire
- Stiff coiled wire that holds its shape for bracelets and rings without a clasp.
- Related: Best Memory Wire for Wrap Bracelets →
- Peyote stitch
- A bead weaving stitch that creates a flat or tubular fabric of beads.
- Round nose pliers
- Pliers with tapered round jaws for making loops.
- Related: Best Round Nose Pliers for Loops and Wire Wrapping →
- Seed beads
- Small uniform glass beads used for weaving, embroidery and stringing.
- Related: Best Seed Beads for Beading Projects →
- Stretch cord
- Elastic cord for bracelets. Pre-stretch it and use a surgeon's knot with a dab of glue.
- Related: Best Elastic Cord for Stretch Bracelets →
- Wire gauge
- Wire thickness. Higher gauge numbers mean thinner wire.
- Wrapped loop
- A wire loop finished by coiling the wire around itself, stronger than a simple loop.