Ask the Experts | Fire Mountain Gems and Beads

Ask the Experts Findings Q&A

Q: What is a good gauge size for sterling silver headpins? I've been using some that I bought at a local craft store, but they don't say the gauge size. I want to buy silver 2-inch and 3-inch headpins.

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Ask the Experts Findings Q&A

Q: Would you have a crimp cord that can be used for more than one cord? I am making a leather bracelet using 3 cords and cannot find a big enough crimp for it.

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Ask the Experts Findings Q&A

Q: My necklace is a 16mm wide figaro. What size does my classic slide bail need to be?

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Ask the Experts Wire-Wrapping Wire Q&A

Q: I'm a beginner jewelry maker who would like to incorporate my own handmade ear wires into designs. Currently, the wire I've been using for much of my work is plated German-style wire. Is this wire safe to use for ear wires for most people? Thank you!

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Ask the Experts Findings Q&A

Q: Is it better to use a 3mm crimp for a beading wire necklace or will a 2mm crimp suffice? If I use a 3mm crimp, do I use a 3mm crimp bead or should I use a bead that is 1mm larger? Same for a 2mm crimp - use a 2mm crimp bead to cover the 2mm crimp? Thank you in advance.

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Ask the Experts Findings Q&A

Q: I usually have difficulty in making crimps grip the stringing material. Recently, I attended a class at which the instructor told us that there are some crimp beads which have grooves scored in the inside of the crimp bead, which allows them to give a better grip to the stringing material. Do you have any information on this type of crimp beads? The ones I used in the class were small, 2x2mm, but they worked better than any others I have at home. Thanks for any info you can give to me!

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Ask the Experts Clasps Q&A

Q: I have a 10Kt gold magnetic clasp and the magnet has fallen out. How do I repair it?

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Ask the Experts Findings Q&A

Q: Do you have a circle earring or pendant with a jump ring inside the circle, so I can hang a bead or charm from it?

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Ask the Experts Stringing Q&A

Q: I use Beadalon 49-strand wire and 7-strand wire. What size crimps and wire protectors should I use on each size. Also, what size will I need using the 7-strand doubled?

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Ask the Experts Findings Q&A

Q: I have been asked to make beaded pull chains for ceiling fans and window shades. I want to rise to this challenge, but how can I make something secure enough to handle the force? I appreciate your advice.

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Ask the Experts Findings Q&A

Q: When ordering silver-toned O rings, how can you get the bright silver tone versus the darker silver tone, without buying sterling silver? I have bought many silver-toned O rings, and the majority of them are kind of gray. Thank you.

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Ask the Experts Mounts and Settings Q&A

Q: I'd like to make 3- or 4-strand chokers with a cabochon in the center of the strands. Other than wire wrapping, is there any setting that will allow me to do this?

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Ask the Experts Tools Q&A

Q: I have split-ring pliers. They work fine for keyring size, but when you get down to 4mm or 5mm rings, the pliers only open the ring a little, and I can't keep them open wide enough to insert my focal. I've tried sliding the ring up the shaft of the pliers to open it farther, but then the beginning of the ring closes down, and I can't slip my focal in. Any ideas?

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Ask the Experts Apparel Q&A

Q: I need instructions on making hat pins, please.

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Ask the Experts Jump Rings Q&A

Q: If I have jump rings that say they're made of "iron alloy," can they be soldered?

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Ask the Experts Pendants Q&A

Q: I’ve been looking everywhere for pendant settings with dogs or paws. I’ve found owls, turtles, dolphins, cats but no dogs. Doesn’t seem like they exist. Is there a way to make them?

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Ask the Experts Findings Q&A

Q: What size ( interior size) of end cap do I use to solder on the ends of a 1mm snake chain? Thank you for responding to my question.

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Ask the Experts Findings Q&A

Q: I noticed there are so many sizes of crimps. Sometimes when I use the crimp that is designated on the various types of wire I have they still pull off or where off and then the item breaks. Why does this happen I always double check it and give it a tug and figure it is fine. What is going wrong?

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Ask the Experts Findings Q&A

Q: How do you determine the size slide clasp to use?

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Ask the Experts Findings Q&A

Q: I love your design ideas for earrings on fishhook ear wires. Is there a way to create the same designs on an earstud-type earring?

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Ask the Experts Findings Q&A

Q: Do the stainless steel earring hooks you sell contain nickel at all? I purchased some and don’t want to sell any yet, in case they contain nickel.

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Ask the Experts Findings Q&A

Q: I have 3 cookie tins of screwback earrings from my mother’s jewelry collection. There are so many beautiful ones, but I don’t know how to change from screw or clip to pierced.

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Ask the Experts Crimps Q&A

Q: What are the advantages in a crimp with a heavier wall? Or disadvantages? I have been using a number 3 in sterling on the heavier necklaces I make and wonder if heavier wall would be stronger? Thank you.

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Ask the Experts Mounting Q&A

Q: Should foil backed crystals be mounted in closed back settings or is an open back setting okay? If a closed back setting is advised, what type of glue is recommended?

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