Handmade Jewelry-Making Basics – What is a Crimp?
and magic crimping pliers. The author does not recommend either of these two pliers because of either the amount of labor involved to crimp or because of the damage to the underlying bead wire.
Floating Bead Projects
Jewelry crimps are also used with bead wire or beading chain to “float” beads in a style like the “tin cup” necklace popularized by Rene Russo in the 1996 movie of the same name. In this case, the crimps should fit snugly around the beading chain or beading wire. For instance, 1.5mm diameter or 1.1mm diameter (outside diameter) crimps will fit a 0.6mm beading chain or beading wires in .018″, .015″ or .012″ diameters.
Crimp-on Eyes and Hooks
Crimp-on eyes and crimp-on hooks are ideal for some jewelry pieces, such as those using the 0.6mm beading chain or some cords such as leather.
