Square Wire
Versatile Wire for Innovative Jewellery
Our square wire collection is designed for jewellers seeking to create distinct, contemporary pieces. The sharp edges and clean lines of square wire make it ideal for structured designs, intricate weaves, and bold geometric patterns. Whether you're crafting elegant necklaces, modern bracelets, or statement pieces, square wire provides the precision and durability required for professional-quality jewellery.
Ethical Jewellery with Recycled Metals
We are committed to supporting ethical jewellery making by offering square wire made from a combination of new and recycled recycled metals. Available in sterling silver, Argentium silver, and solid gold alloys, our collection allows you to create stunning pieces that align with sustainable practices. Choosing recycled metals not only reduces environmental impact but also meets the growing demand for eco-conscious jewellery.
A Comprehensive Range of Alloys and Sizes
Our square wire collection includes a variety of precious metal alloys, such as 9ct, 14ct, and 18ct gold in yellow, white, and rose alloys, as well as sterling silver and Argentium silver. With sizes ranging from fine to heavy gauges, this collection provides the flexibility to suit any project, from delicate accents to bold, structural components.
Stock Gauge vs Square Wire
In addition to square wire, we offer stock gauge wire, which differs mainly in its corner profile and intended use. Stock gauge wire has a softer edge compared to the defined, sharp edges of square wire, making it ideal as a raw starting point for jewellery fabrication. This versatility allows jewellers to choose the best wire for their specific needs, whether it's for intricate detailing or foundational work.
Why Choose Our Square Wire
Choosing our square wire means selecting a material that offers both aesthetic appeal and long-lasting durability. The wire's sharp edges create clean, crisp lines that enhance modern designs, while the high-quality metals ensure that your creations are built to last. Whether you’re working on a contemporary collection or a bespoke piece, our square wire provides the reliability and beauty you need to succeed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Square wire is used for a variety of purposes in jewellery making, particularly for its distinct appearance and the strong, angular edges it provides.
It is often used in wire wrapping and wire sculpting techniques to create bold, geometric designs. Its sharp edges and clean lines make it ideal for adding a modern, architectural element to your pieces, allowing for precise, uniform creations.
Its shape also allows for excellent grip and stability when setting stones or creating interlocking designs.
Stock gauge wire, a larger and more robust form of square wire, is a fundamental raw material used in handcrafted jewellery applications. It serves as the starting point for jewellers to shape and manipulate into various custom designs.
Due to its substantial size and strength, stock gauge wire is especially suitable for creating pieces that require significant structural integrity and durability. For instance, traditional handcrafted signet rings often begin as stock gauge wire, which is then meticulously worked into the ring's final shape and size.
This type of wire allows for a high degree of customization and is favoured in projects where a sturdy, yet malleable, base material is essential. The versatility of stock gauge wire makes it a staple in many artisanal jewellery workshops, enabling jewellers to craft unique, bespoke pieces with a distinct handcrafted quality.
Square wire has sharp, defined edges, making it suitable for intricate designs and structural elements. In contrast, stock gauge wire has softer edges and is generally used as a raw material for shaping and forming in jewellery fabrication.
Yes, square wire is excellent for making rings. Its defined edges create a modern, clean look, while offering stability and durability, making it perfect for both simple and intricate ring designs. Additionally, the flat faces of square wire provide an ideal canvas for custom work, such as stamping or engraving, allowing for personalized and unique creations.
The main advantages of using square wire in jewellery design include its sharp, clean lines, which add a contemporary aesthetic, and its structural integrity, which provides strength to your pieces. Square wire is also versatile, allowing for various design possibilities.
Choose the gauge of square wire based on the project's requirements. Thicker gauges (18-20) are ideal for structural components, while thinner gauges (22-24) are better for intricate detailing and wraps.
Yes, square wire can be soldered easily using standard soldering techniques. Its flat surfaces allow for clean, strong joins, especially when creating geometric designs or connecting multiple components.
Square wire is available in various metals, including sterling silver, Argentium silver, 9ct, 14ct, and 18ct solid gold (yellow, white, and rose), and base metals including copper and brass. These options cater to a wide range of design preferences and project requirements.
In wire-wrapping projects, square wire can be used to create structured frames and geometric patterns. Its flat surfaces provide stability and precision, making it ideal for holding stones securely or adding unique shapes to your designs.
Yes, square wire is suitable for making bracelets. Its structural strength and defined edges make it perfect for creating both delicate and bold bracelet designs that maintain their shape and integrity over time.
Square wire can be textured using a variety of methods, such as hammering with a texture hammer, rolling through a rolling mill with a texture plate, or applying hand techniques like filing, stamping, or etching.
Sterling silver square wire offers durability, workability, and a bright finish, making it a popular choice for a variety of jewellery designs. It’s also versatile, allowing for easy soldering, texturing, and polishing to achieve professional-quality results.
To polish square wire, use a series of polishing compounds with a buffing wheel or polishing cloth. Start with a coarser compound to remove any scratches, then progress to finer compounds for a mirror-like finish, ensuring the wire’s surfaces are clean and smooth.
Prevent tarnishing by storing square wire in airtight containers or bags. Regular cleaning with a polishing cloth can also help maintain the wire’s shine and prevent oxidation.
Harden square wire by gently hammering it with a rawhide or nylon mallet. This work-hardening process increases the wire’s strength, making it more durable for structural elements in jewellery.
Form square wire into custom shapes by using mandrels, pliers, or a bench block. The wire’s defined edges make it ideal for creating precise bends and angles, allowing for intricate and unique designs.
For beginners, 20 to 22 gauge square wire is recommended. It’s thin enough to be easy to work with and manipulate, yet sturdy enough to create secure and durable designs such as rings and simple wraps.
Choose between sterling silver and gold square wire based on the desired aesthetic, budget, and design requirements. Sterling silver offers a classic, affordable option, while gold provides a luxurious finish and higher perceived value.
Store square wire in a cool, dry place, preferably in airtight containers to prevent tarnishing. Keep wires separated by gauge and material to avoid scratches.
Yes, square wire is ideal for mixed-metal jewellery designs. Its defined edges create a striking contrast when combined with other metals, adding depth and visual interest to your pieces.
Use square wire for minimalist jewellery by focusing on simple, clean lines and geometric shapes. The wire’s sharp edges and uniformity make it perfect for creating understated yet elegant pieces like rings, bracelets, and necklaces.
Essential tools for working with square wire include flat-nose pliers, a jeweller’s saw, a bench block, and a mallet. For specific applications like making rings, a mandrel is also required to shape the wire accurately. Additionally, a polishing cloth and buffing wheel are necessary for achieving a high-quality finish, ensuring your final piece is both durable and visually stunning.
Measure square wire by its width and thickness, typically expressed in millimetres or gauge. Use a caliper or micrometer for precise measurements, ensuring the wire fits the intended design specifications.
Yes, square wire is perfect for making earrings. Its structural integrity and sharp edges allow for the creation of unique earring designs, from simple studs to elaborate dangles.
Finish the ends of square wire by filing them smooth with a metal file or using a cup burr to round off the edges. Polishing the ends with a buffing wheel or polishing cloth will ensure a professional, comfortable finish that won’t snag or irritate the skin.
Common challenges when working with square wire include maintaining its shape during manipulation and ensuring the edges remain sharp and defined. Proper tools and techniques, such as careful bending, annealing and precise soldering, can help overcome these challenges.
Combine square wire with other wire shapes by using it as a frame or structural element, while incorporating round or half-round wire for contrast and texture. This combination can create visually appealing designs with added depth and dimension.
Yes, square wire can be used to make custom chains. Its defined edges create a modern, clean look, and the wire’s strength ensures durability, making it ideal for both delicate and bold chain designs.
Achieve a professional finish with square wire by ensuring all cuts are clean and precise, using proper finishing techniques such as filing and polishing, and making sure that all joins are smooth and secure.
Solid gold square wire offers luxury, durability, and a timeless aesthetic. Its high-quality finish makes it ideal for creating fine jewellery, and it is also hypoallergenic, making it suitable for a wide range of wearers.
Choose square wire for designs that require defined, sharp edges and a modern look. opt for stock gauge wire if you need a more versatile raw material for fabrication. Consider the specific requirements of your project when making your selection.
Ethical square jewellery wire can be purchased from suppliers like Ore Metals who specialise in recycled metals and sustainable jewellery-making supplies. Look for statements from suppliers that confirm their commitment to ethical sourcing and environmentally friendly practices.