Artistic Wire, 20 Gauge Uncoated Bare Copper Craft Wire, 15 yd Review (2026)

What this spool is

This is a 15 yard, about 13.7 meter, spool of 20 gauge bare copper wire measuring 0.81mm in diameter, sold under the Artistic Wire brand, which is a well known name for craft and jewelry wire among bead and wire wrapping suppliers. Unlike the brand's colored and tarnish resistant lines, this bare copper version has no protective coating applied, leaving the raw metal exposed. Twenty gauge is a commonly used middle weight for jewelry wire work, sturdy enough to hold its shape in wrapped loops and links while still being flexible enough to bend by hand without pliers for simpler shapes.

Why bare and uncoated matters

Because this copper carries no anti tarnish finish, it is specifically suited to techniques that rely on the metal's natural reactivity, such as deliberately oxidizing the wire with a patina solution or heat to create a darkened, antique look, or hammering the surface to flatten and work harden sections of a design. Coated wire resists these treatments or reacts unpredictably to them, so crafters working in mixed metal, rustic, or antiqued styles specifically seek out bare wire like this rather than treating the lack of coating as a downside. The wire is also nickel free, which matters for anyone with a nickel sensitivity working the wire directly against skin during construction.

What 20 gauge is good for

At 0.81mm, 20 gauge sits in a versatile middle ground for jewelry wire, thick enough to form structural elements like clasps, ear wires, and wrapped loops that need to hold their shape under normal handling, but still thin enough to wrap neatly around beads and gemstones without overwhelming smaller stones. It works well both as a primary wire for wrapped pendant bails and as a secondary wire for binding or embellishing pieces built from a heavier gauge. Beaders moving between fine detail work and structural elements often keep a few different gauges on hand, with 20 gauge frequently serving as the go between size for both roles.

Tarnish and how to manage it

Bare copper will naturally darken and develop a patina over time simply from exposure to air and moisture, and handling it directly during wire wrapping can also leave a mild coppery residue or tarnish marks on skin, which washes off but is worth knowing about before starting a long wrapping session. For anyone who wants to keep the wire looking bright and coppery rather than aged, a clear sealant applied after finishing a piece is the typical workaround, since there is no built in coating on this wire to prevent oxidation on its own. This natural tarnishing is standard behavior for uncoated copper and not a quality issue specific to this spool.

Bottom line

For wire wrapping projects that specifically call for real, reactive bare copper, whether for a patina finish, hammered texture, or a natural aged look over time, this spool delivers a workable 20 gauge weight from an established wire brand. The 15 yard length is reasonable for a handful of projects or ongoing practice but will run out quickly for anyone doing frequent or larger scale wire work, who may want to compare per yard pricing against larger spools. Anyone who prefers a wire that stays bright without extra sealing should look at the brand's tarnish resistant coated lines instead.

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