This “Beading for Beginners” guide is to provide beginning beaders basic information on “Memory Wire” - what is it and how is it used in beadwork.

You can visit my other Ebay Beading guides:

Beading - Beads 4 Beginners: Thread & Other Fibers

Beading Wire: Gauges & Metals for Beginners Part One

Wire Guide Part One contains a very detailed chart for beading/jewelry wire gauges size 14 to 34 in both metric and inches.

Beading Wire: Gauges & Metals for Beginners Part Two

Other “stringing” materials for beadwork and jewelry include:

“Hemp“: Beading - Beads 4 Beginners: Hemp for Beadwork

“Beading Elastic“: Beading - Beads 4 Beginners: Beading Elastic

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Memory Wire - What is it?

“Memory Wire” is a specific type of beading wire product manufactured by several different beading supply companies manufacturers. Memory wire is designed specifically manufactured to hold its circular shape regardless of the following two “wear & tear” factors: it should hold its shape regardless of how freqently the piece of jewelry is worn. It should adapt to the individual size/shape of the owner of the piece of jewelry, no matter how small or large (within reasonable limits of the original diameter of the wire).

For the pupose of this guide (for simplicity), the term “Memory Wire” will be used to cover all types and brands.

How Memory Wire is Sold

Memory Wire is sold in loops in one continuous piece of wire. The number of “loops” in a package of memory wire will vary based on the manufacturer. The crafter/beader cuts the number of “loops” they need/want for a specific beading or jewelry project.

Pay attention to the auction description - the low price of a package of Memory wire for auction could be due to the small number of “loops” in the package for sale.

“Memory Wire” comes in 3 basic “loop size” categories: necklace, bracelet and ring. Under these basic categories of necklace, bracelet and ring, you will find Memory Wire for sale in different diameter sizes: small and large are the most common. Memory Wire is also manufactured in an ankle bracelet size. The number of different size variations of Memory Wire for sale varies by manufacturer. I have even seen memory wire for sale now in wine glass stem sized loops.

There is not a standard measurement scale for manufacturing Memory Wire. A “large bracelet” sized loop of Memory Wire can vary in actual diameter size between manufacturing companies. You do need to read the auction descriptions for the actual diameter size. If the diameter is not given in the auction description or if the terms “small” or “large” are used in place of the actual numeric diameter, you should e-mail the seller for this information. The sizes “small” and “large” are not standard” among manufacturers - the actual numeric diameter measurements of “small” and “large” can vary.

Memory Wire Strength

Memory Wire is tougher and stronger than professional beading wire.

Again, just like the actual measurement of diameter of the loops of the Memory Wire, there is not a standard measurement scale for gauge for Memory Wire.

Most of the Memory Wire I have seen advertised for sale on EBay has a gauge of 18 to 19. Remembrance Wire by Beadalon has a gauge of 22 - its small gauge is the reason why I am able to use such small seed beads with the Memory Wire.

I have written a very detailed chart on beading wire gauge and the equivalent measurements in mm and inches in the below guide for comparison of gauge:

Beading Wire: Gauges & Metals for Beginners Part One

A word of warning for using Memory Wire: do not use your regular beading wire cutters with memory wire. Memory wire is extremely strong when compared to regular beading wire. Most beading jewelry wire is sold in the size range of 0.012mm to 0.024mm in diameter.

Memory Wire can be in the size range of 18 (1.02mm) to 22 gauge (0.64mm) in diameter - much thicker and stronger. You can damage or permanently break your regular beading wire cutters on Memory Wire. There are special wire cutters sold specifically for the use of Memory Wire. I do own wire cutters specifically made for Memory Wire and I do recommend buying a pair if you plan on working with Memory Wire.

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And a word of warning about Memory Wire, wire cutters and children: Memory Wire is very strong - I do not recommend letting children cutting Memory Wire. Always wear safety goggles when cutting wire (little or large flecks of wire can fly into your eyes). Anyone not wearing safety goggles should stay a safe distance away. And hold both ends of that Memory Wire steady - it will have a natural tendency to recoil back into the tight loops after being cut. It has a sharp tip - take it from someone who did cut their finger very quickly from one of those recoils. Accidents do happen, even to those of us who know it can happen and are prepared. My hand slipped and the wire gave me a gash as it recoiled.

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There are several different finishing techniques for jewelry pieces made using Memory Wire. Since this guide is a description of the product and not a “how to” in jewelry making, only a few techniques are briefly mentioned. Please refer to a beading book either on Memory Wire (there are several craft “how to” books on memory wire) or a beading book on “findings” and “finishes” for beadwork.

Such finishing techniques including crimping beads; using small jewelry pliers to form “closure loops” at the cut ends; gluing on “anchor beads” at the cut ends (not a professional technique). There are specialty “cap ends” designed and sold for use with Memory Wire. I have seen these “cap ends” sold in both gold-plated and silver-plated finishes.

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Memory Wire Brands

Remember to read all auction descriptions carefully. Important points to look for:

the diameter of the loops; the gauge of the wire; the number of loops in the package.

Most of the Memory Wire I see for auction on Ebay is sold “nameless” - that is, without a brand name. There is nothing wrong with “nameless” Memory Wire. Many major jewelry stores buy Memory Wire in bulk and package it for re-sale. Just remember the key points above to look for in the auction description when buying Memory Wire.

Major Beading Supply Manufacturing Companies are:

The Soft Flex Company - their product is Memory Wire

The Beadalon Company - their product is Remembrance Memory Wire

The Paramount Wire Company - their product is Parawire

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I personally use Remembrance Memory Wire by Beadalon. Remembrance Memory Wire is 22 gauge wire - approx. 0.62mm. It just happened to be the very first brand of Memory Wire I ever purchased. I know I can fit my Czech size 10/0 and size 11/0 seed beads onto the wire, although size 11/0 not always easily. My own bead stash has very few seed beads smaller than size 11/0, so there is no need for me to go buying other types of Memory Wire.

Remembrance Memory Wire is one of the smallest gauge Memory Wires manufactured, but I am sure it is not the only one. Please do not go out and buy Remembrance brand Memory Wire without doing price comparison and looking for the three key points in an auction description:

the diameter of the loops; the gauge of the wire; the number of loops in the package

and find the best Memory Wire for your project. Remember, don’t hesitate to e-mail and ask the seller questions before making your purchase.

Depending on the types and sizes of beads in your beading stash and the types of jewelry projects you want to make with Memory Wire, you may not need the smallest size gauge of Memory Wire.

Remember: the gauge of the wire is not the size of the diameter of the loops.

The gauge of the wire is the thickness of the actual wire itself. The gauge of Memory Wire can range from a size 18 (1.02mm in diameter) to 22 gauge (0.64mm in diameter).

Memory Wire for sale on Ebay:

Memory Wire for Sale under Jewelry

Memory Wire for sale under BeadArt

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Thanks!

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Clarence and I thank you

How I spend my time these days: training my dogs, beadwork and making quilt yo yo’s.