Artistic Wire 18 Gauge Silver Plated Copper vs Beadalon German Style Wire

These are different wires for different jobs, and the listings disagree on gauge, so check the spool label before you buy. The Artistic Wire 18 gauge is thicker and holds shape well for frames, clasps and structure, and its tarnish-resistant silver-plated copper is a known, widely used craft wire. Beadalon German style wire is a medium-temper shaping wire with an anti-tarnish coating, better suited to wire wrapping and bead links. Buyers of both brands generally report the coating wears at sharp bends, so avoid over-working either.

• Choose the Artistic Wire 18 gauge if you need a thicker, firmer wire for structural pieces, frames or clasps and want a long coil in a silver finish.
• Choose the Beadalon German style wire if you do wire wrapping, bead links and shaping where a medium temper and anti-tarnish coating matter more than stiffness.