FINDINGS

I consider findings as any component used to hold your jewelry designs together. Crimp beads are one of these findings and is mandatory if your beading necklaces and bracelets on beading wire. Crimp beads come in different sizes to use on different size wires. I usually buy either gold or silver plated crimp beads in a variety pack which has four (4) different sizes. Each size is in it's own vial and each pack contains 600 beads and cost $7.65. You will also need a pair of crimp pliers which can cost from $8.00 to $15.00. This is the tool used to close the crimp bead over the end of the wire to end the strand. Crimps can also be used to hold beads in place on a strand. Here are the crimp bead sizes I buy and the size wires they will fit. Beading wire comes in sizes which is the diameter of the wire measured in inches. Size 0 to 1 crimp bead will fit a wire 0.010 to 0.013 this wire size is used for light weight beads. Size 1 crimps also fits 0.010 to 0.021 which is light to medium weight beads. Size 2 crimp beads fits beading wire 0.021 to 0.024 which is for medium to heavy weight beads and size 3 fits 0.024 to 0.036 which is heavy to very heavy beads. The sizes I have used for the crimp beads are based on the sizes which I buy in the variety pack. Crimps purchased from other sellers may have sizes by millimeter for example 1.5x1mm. You can also get crimp tubes, crimp tubes with hooks, and crimp tubes with loops. Choosing the one you use is totally up to the designer and the look you are trying to achieve. Look through catalogs, beading magazines, and jewelry craft books for ideas and inspiration.