# Best Head Pins and Eye Pins for Earrings and Bead Dangles Source: https://beadingnest.com/best/best-head-pins-eye-pins Publisher: Beading Nest. Our score is an editorial rating out of 10 (fit 35%, features 25%, build 20%, value 20%), not a customer rating. Method: https://beadingnest.com/how-we-research#our-score 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. ## Picks ### 1. 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 Our score: 8.6/10 (Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10) 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. Pros: - 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 Cons: - 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 Details: https://beadingnest.com/product/B07V3WFKSW ### 2. 20pcs Adabele Real Sterling Silver Ball Head Pins 50mm/2 inch, 22 Gauge Our score: 8.2/10 (Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 6/10) 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. Pros: - 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 Cons: - 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 Details: https://beadingnest.com/product/B0B4FFHLVF ### 3. 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 Our score: 8.0/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10) 500 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. Pros: - 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 Cons: - 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 Details: https://beadingnest.com/product/B0FLQB93M1 ### 4. Beadalon Head Pins, 2.0 in / 50.8 mm, Wire Diameter 0.5 mm / .020 in, Silver Plated, 108 pc Our score: 7.9/10 (Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10) Beadalon'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. Pros: - 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 Cons: - 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 Details: https://beadingnest.com/product/B0047T6YJG ### 5. FIVEIZERO 900 PCS Eye Pins, Head Pins and Ball Pins, Gold & Silver, 3 Size Our score: 7.6/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 9/10) A 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. Pros: - 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 Cons: - 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 Details: https://beadingnest.com/product/B0DNMTD4P2 ### 6. 144 Head Pins .029dia X 4 Inch Gold Plating Over Brass Standard 21 Gauge Wire Beadsmith Headpins Our score: 7.4/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 6/10) The 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. Pros: - 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 Cons: - 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 Details: https://beadingnest.com/product/B006Q3F73U ### 7. Beadalon Ball Pin Medium Head Pin 50mm Nickel Free Silver Plated, 24-Piece Our score: 6.9/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 5/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 7/10) A 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. Pros: - 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 Cons: - 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 Details: https://beadingnest.com/product/B00168435I As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.