Wire gauge is a measurement of the thickness of a wire. In jewelry making, wire gauge is used to refer to the size of the wire being used. The larger the wire gauge number, the thinner the wire. For example, a wire with a gauge of 24 is thinner than a wire with a gauge of 18.
Here are some common wire gauges used in jewelry making and their approximate thicknesses:
- 28 gauge: 0.3 mm
- 26 gauge: 0.4 mm
- 24 gauge: 0.5 mm
- 22 gauge: 0.6 mm
- 20 gauge: 0.8 mm
- 18 gauge: 1.0 mm
- 16 gauge: 1.3 mm
- 14 gauge: 1.6 mm
- 12 gauge: 2.0 mm
The wire gauge you choose will depend on the specific project you are working on and the type of wire you are using. Thinner wire is more delicate and is better suited for finer, more detailed work, while thicker wire is more durable and is better suited for heavy-duty projects. It is also important to consider the type of wire you are using, as different types of wire have different properties that can affect their suitability for certain projects. For example, some wire types are more pliable and easier to work with than others, while some are more prone to tarnish or discoloration over time.