What Stringing Solution Should I Choose For My Stone Beads?

Posted by adortalukdar on February 15th, 2014

Stone beads have been in use for thousands of years, so it is no wonder that they are still a very popular choice for jewelry-making aficionados. They bring a classic, natural style to homemade jewelry and they are a very popular choice for nature lovers and people who worship pagan religions. However, semi-precious stones are also chosen by those who enjoy more refined pieces of jewelry. In order to create a reliable, dependable kind of bracelet which won’t snap or break under the weight of these heavy beads, you will need to put a little bit of extra thought into what sort of stringing material you choose for your jewelry.

Hemp Rope

Thin hemp rope is a popular choice for stringing stone beads, because it is a very natural substance like the stones themselves. It is also known for its durability and strength. Hemp rope is available in a lot of different thicknesses, so it does not matter on what size of hole your beads have. If you cannot find the size you need, or if you do not have a thick enough piece available, it is possible to weave or plait individual pieces of rope together to create a thicker piece. Macrame techniques can also be used on hemp ropes to make them more attractive as well as making them stronger. Hemp rope is very receptive to fabric dyes, and therefore it is a possible to dye this rope to meet your standards.

Leather Cord

Leather cord is another natural choice which is tough enough to hold stone beads. Many people enjoy the smell and feel of leather cord, and so this is a good choice to go with stone beads. Leather is another material which it is easy to dye, so you will have a choice of colors to complement your beads. One problem with leather is that if the stone beads exert too much friction onto the cord, they can wear away at it quite quickly. If the cord is thin, it will snap easily.

Metal Wire

Metal wire certainly offers enough strength to support the weight of stone beads, and it can be bent and shaped to create interesting patterns and designs if you have the right tools. Alternatively, metal wire can be used as a decorative addition to the beads, rather than the primary stringing solution. Wire cannot be knotted and does not have any real elasticity, so if you choose to use metal wire as your stringing material then you will have to add some sort of bracelet clasp or fasting to help to make the jewelry more functional. Opinions are often divided on the use of metal wire for stone bead bracelets. Many of those who enjoy stone for its earthy, naturalness would prefer wire or hemp because it fits in with their style, but those who prefer stone for its striking beauty may choose wire because it offers jewelry makers more control and the final product will look like a more refined piece. 

Stone beads are a great choice for your bracelets, whether you like natural looking pieces or beautiful refined ones. Consider what you want before choosing a stringing solution for your stone beads. You can get more information from cheap beads.