ParaWire 18 Gauge Hematite Silver-Plated Copper Craft Wire – 25 ft Roll

Create bold wire forms, jewelry components, frames, and decorative designs with ParaWire 18 Gauge Hematite Silver-Plated Copper Craft Wire. This premium craft wire starts with a 99% pure copper core, receives a layer of 99% pure fine silver, and is finished with ParaWire's protective non-tarnish color coating.

The heavier 18 gauge size provides substantially more body than fine wrapping gauges, making it an excellent choice for larger loops, links, spirals, frames, shaped components, and other designs where the wire needs to provide structure as well as color.

Features & Benefits

• 18 gauge jewelry and craft wire

• 25 ft roll

• Hematite color

• 99% pure copper core

• Plated with 99% pure fine silver

• ParaWire non-tarnish color coating

• Heavier gauge provides excellent body for formed components

• Ideal for frames, links, loops, spirals, and decorative wirework

• Made in the USA

Specifications

Heavier 18 Gauge for Structural Wirework

At 18 gauge, this wire has considerably more body than the finer gauges commonly used for weaving and detailed wrapping.

That makes it especially useful when the wire itself needs to form an important part of the design. Use it for larger loops, links, frames, spirals, shaped components, pendant structures, and other applications where greater rigidity and shape retention are desirable.

For intricate weaving or repeated wraps around another wire, a finer gauge such as 24, 26, or 28 gauge will generally be easier to work with.

Silver-Plated Copper Construction

ParaWire's Silver Plated Craft Wire uses a layered construction that begins with 99% pure copper.

The copper core is plated with 99% pure fine silver before the final color coating is applied. This distinguishes it from ParaWire's Metallic Craft Wire, which uses a copper core and colored coating without the intermediate fine-silver plating.

The result combines the workability of copper with genuine fine-silver plating beneath the decorative protective finish.

Hematite Finish

The Hematite color provides a darker metallic appearance than traditional bright silver wire, making it a useful choice for designs that call for greater contrast or a deeper neutral tone.

It can be used alone for a consistent look or combined with silver, copper, gold, gemstones, beads, crystals, or contrasting wire colors in mixed-media and multi-wire designs.

Excellent for Formed Components

The heavier 18 gauge size is particularly useful when making individual components that need enough body to maintain their form.

Create larger eye loops, open links, spirals, geometric shapes, frames, hooks, decorative connectors, and other formed elements. It can also serve as a heavier base wire for designs that are wrapped or woven with finer-gauge wire.

Protective Non-Tarnish Coating

ParaWire applies its color through a protective coating over the silver-plated copper wire. The coating provides the Hematite appearance while helping protect the underlying metal from tarnishing.

As with any coated craft wire, using smooth, clean tools and avoiding unnecessary scraping or abrasion will help preserve the finish while forming your design.

Ideal For

• Jewelry making

• Wire wrapping

• Pendant frames

• Larger loops and links

• Spirals

• Coils

• Shaped wire components

• Decorative connectors

• Wire frames

• Beaded designs

• Mixed-gauge wirework

• Wire sculpture

• Decorative craft projects

Frequently Asked Questions

What gauge is this wire?
This is 18 gauge ParaWire, a heavier size well suited to formed and structural jewelry components.

How much wire is included?
Each roll contains 25 feet of wire.

What color is this wire?
The color is Hematite, providing a darker metallic appearance for jewelry and decorative projects.

Is this solid silver wire?
No. It has a 99% pure copper core plated with 99% pure fine silver, followed by ParaWire's protective color coating.

Is this the same as ParaWire Metallic Craft Wire?
No. Silver Plated Craft Wire has a layer of 99% pure fine silver between the copper core and final coating. ParaWire Metallic Craft Wire does not have that intermediate silver-plated layer.

What is 18 gauge wire best suited for?
18 gauge is an excellent choice for larger loops, links, frames, spirals, shaped components, pendant structures, and other designs requiring more body than fine wrapping wire.

Is 18 gauge good for fine wire weaving?
It is generally better used as a base or structural wire. For intricate weaving and repeated wraps, a finer gauge is usually easier to manipulate.

Can I combine this with finer wire?
Yes. The 18 gauge wire can form the frame or structural portion of a design while finer wire is used for wrapping, weaving, binding, or decorative details.

Does the wire have a protective coating?
Yes. ParaWire applies a non-tarnish color coating over the silver-plated wire.

How can I help protect the Hematite finish while working?
Use clean, smooth-jaw tools when possible and avoid unnecessary scraping or aggressive tool contact with the coated surface.

Where is it made?
It is made in the USA.

Micro-Tools makes every attempt to provide accurate information for each item. Actual packaging and/or specifications may be slightly different from the information and picture provided.