Useful Information about Crimp Beads

Crimp beads used in jewelry making has a long history. Crimp beads are quite essential in jewelry making, and available in different types. The main three types are round, tube and ribbon crimps. Different types have different usages.

Brass Crimp Beads

Round crimp beads are the most normal seen and used type. They are mainly to secure beads, but in the case of floating bead jewelry, they may also be incorporated into the design. Many jewelry makers use round crimp beads in conjunction with crimp tips, or crimp covers, which slide over the crimp bead and hide it. Both crimp beads and covers need to be carefully compressed with pliers, such as specially designed crimp pliers, to squash them down and make them secure. If you are planning to use this type of finding beads in your creations, ensure that the bead is large enough to allow the threat to pass through it twice.

The tube crimp beads are larger and quite longer than the round ones. They are very strong too. These finding beads are always left uncovered and are much more likely to be incorporated into the jewelry design. And the crimp tube beads are very suitable for heavy and larger beads. They are normally available in sterling silver or gold filled or plated models. Tube crimp beads tend to be very easy to work with, making them ideal when the elements of the strand are very dainty.

Brass Crimp Beads

About the ribbon crimp beads, they are used with ribbon jewelry, which is easily to see from their name. Today, more and more jewelry makers like to use ribbons for their jewelry designs as an alternative to chains and beading threads & cords and this is where they need ribbon crimps to secure their jewelry. Ribbon crimps are available in rectangular or square shapes.

To some beginners of jewelry makings, they may not clear about how to use crimp beads. Here are some useful tips about it. Crimp beads are always used at the end of wires to stop beads fall off. String the beads on your wire, thread or cord, and make sure the hole of round crimp beads is big enough for your wire to turn back and through the hole again. Then use your crimp pliers to press the bead. Then the other jewelry beads will not fall off.

Crimp beads are not only available in different types but also available in different colors and sizes. So, you have a large range of selection, of course if you purchase them from large online supplier. 

How to Use Crimp Beads and Crimp Tool

When you create jewelry designs with jewelry wire, the jewelry findings you must to use are crimp beads and crimp covers. Of course, you also need to use a jewelry plier—crimp tool. How to use crimp beads, crimp covers and crimp tools? It is a problem for almost all the beginners of jewelry making.

Iron Crimp Beads

Crimp beads and covers can give jewelry a professional finish to a designed necklace, bracelets or anklet. Crimp beads hide the knot, and crimp covers hide the crimp bead that connects the clasp and beads. Let’s us talk about the crimp beads first. Most crimp beads are made of brass and iron, but they are available in different colors, for example, golden, silver, black, antique bronze, platinum, red copper, rose gold and so on. So that they are suitable for creating any style jewelry you like. The common shape of these jewelry findings are tube and round. About the crimp covers, they are mainly produced by brass and iron too. They are available in different colors as crimp beads.

Brass Crimp Beads

How to attach crimp beads and crimp covers on your design by crimp tool? When you are ready to attach a clasp or other connect, first thread end of your wire through a crimp bead. Loop the wire through the clasp and then feed back through the crimp bead, forming a loop. Slide the crimp bead up close to the end of the clasp but make sure that it is not too close to the clasp. Now you are ready to squeeze the crimp bead shut. Place the bead at the back of part of the crimp tool close to the handle. Gently squeeze the crimp bead closed. Tug lightly to make sure that the crimp bead does not pull out easily. Now you can place the crimp cover over the crimp bead. Place it toward the front part of the tool and gently close the crimp cover over the crimp bead. Thread the wire from the finished jewelry design through a crimp bead. Thread it through next to the figure eight ring and back through the crimp bead. The last step is trimming the wire.

Finished jewelry projects are great gifts for family members, friends and co-workers. Have you learned how to use crimp beads, crimp covers and crimp tool (crimp pliers) now? Do you have some fabulous jewelry making ideas with them now? If yes, it is time to purchase and use them to create your unique jewelry gifts for anyone who you want to express love or friendship.