Glossary
Memory wire
Stiff, pre-coiled steel wire that springs back into its coil shape, used for clasp-free bracelets and rings.
Memory wire is a hardened steel wire pre-coiled into loops, tempered so that it always springs back to its original coil shape even after being bent or squeezed during wear. That spring keeps a bracelet or ring snug on the wrist or finger without needing a clasp at all.
Coils are sized for their intended use, bracelet, ring, or necklace, and each has a different diameter, so buying the right size for the project matters more than it would with ordinary wire. Beads are strung directly onto a cut length of the coil, and the ends are usually finished with a simple loop rather than a clasp.
Cutting memory wire needs heavy-duty cutters made for hardened steel; standard wire cutters or the fine cutters used for wire wrapping will nick or dull quickly and may not cut cleanly at all. A common mistake is trying to straighten memory wire before use, since the whole point of the material is that it will not stay straight.
Where this comes up
- Best Memory Wire for Wrap BraceletsBuying guide
- Memory Wire ProjectsArticle