If you have ever beaded before you most likely have asked yourself or others what to use to string a bracelet.

Strings for bracelets, and other stringing material, are usually made of silk, elastic, hemp, or coated wire.

Each of these has their benefits, but they are not all right for everyone.

To help you determine which is the best choice for you, here is a little info about each of these bracelet strings:

Silk cord:

• Silk cord is great because it is very strong relative to it’s thickness, so there is less concern about breaking. It is also smooth, very flexible – which offers great movement for pieces with even the lightest beads – and comes in a wide variety of colors.
• Recommended for:
  light weight beads, beads with small holes, pearls, knotted designs, woven bracelets or necklaces.

Beading Wire (Nylon Coated):

• Nylon coated beading wire is the strongest – relative to thickness – of the stringing options listed here, although it is not as flexible as cord and can not be knotted (crimps are required for finishing). Beading wire does not retain the shape it is formed to on it’s own, so you won’t end up with a crinkly necklace like you would if you used copper wire.
• FYI: the higher the strand number on the package, the more flexible the wire will be.
• This stuff is great for heavier beads and pendants, because you don’t have to worry about it breaking and it has great movement with weighty pieces, without the piece hanging limply.
• Recommended for: heavier beads and pendants, projects where flexibility is desired while still having a stable form to it, most basic beading projects.

Elastic:

• Elastic string is great for light weight, flexible, and versatile pieces. It is not very strong, though, and will wear out sooner than the other options listed here (it still lasts years. Maybe just not decades), so you may not want to use it with 18k gold or highly-prized gemstones.
• This stuff is a lot of fun to make rings and bracelets with that can fit everyone.
• Recommended for: bracelets, fun easy projects, one-size-fits-all pieces.

Hemp:

• Hemp is on the thicker-side and has a rougher, more earthy look. It is great for knotting and weaving with large-hole beads, but may be too thick for standard or smaller hole beads. It softens with wear, but stays strong. Many people make friendship bracelets with it, as it lasts for a long time and can get wet without damage. It is available in a wide variety of colors.
• Recommended for: friendship bracelets, boho and earthy-style jewelry, designs with large-hole beads. Hemp cord can also be used in a wide variety of ways around the home, including entertaining your cat.

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