How to Use Crimp Beads and Crimp Covers
Crimp beads and crimp tubes are small, soft metal findings that you squeeze shut on beading wire to hold a clasp in place, because beading wire cannot be knotted. To use one, string the crimp, pass the wire through the clasp and back through the crimp, then close it with a crimp tool: the back notch creases it with a wire in each side, and the front notch folds it over into a neat round. Match the crimp size to your wire diameter, and finish with a crimp cover if you want it to look like a plain metal bead. Everything below is in our crimp beads, tubes and covers collection.
Crimp Beads vs Crimp Tubes
A crimp bead is a short, rounded bead of soft metal; a crimp tube is a straight cylinder. Both are used the same way, but a tube's straight walls put more metal against the wire and fold more neatly with a crimp tool. We carry Beadalon crimp beads #0 to #3 and crimp tubes #1 to #4, plus Beadsmith tubes in silver, gold, copper, antique brass and black oxide to match your metal.
Matching Crimp Size to Wire Diameter
The crimp must let the wire pass through twice and still grip when closed. This table uses the Beadalon sizes and wire ranges from our listings.
| Beadalon crimp | Inside diameter | Wire diameter | Crimp tool |
|---|---|---|---|
| #0 crimp bead | 0.8 mm | .010 to .013 in (0.25 to 0.33 mm) | Micro |
| #1 crimp tube | 0.8 mm | .010 to .013 in (0.25 to 0.33 mm) | Micro |
| #1 crimp bead | 1.3 mm | .010 to .021 in (0.25 to 0.53 mm) | Standard |
| #2 crimp tube | 1.3 mm | .013 to .024 in (0.33 to 0.61 mm) | Standard |
| #2 crimp bead | 1.5 mm | .024 to .026 in (0.60 to 0.66 mm) | Standard |
| #3 crimp tube | 1.5 mm | .024 to .026 in (0.60 to 0.66 mm) | Standard or Mighty |
| #3 crimp bead | 1.8 mm | .024 to .036 in (0.60 to 0.91 mm) | Mighty |
| #4 crimp tube | 2.0 mm | .026 to .036 in (0.66 to 0.91 mm) | Mighty |
For .015 and .018 inch wire, use a #2 crimp tube or a #1 crimp bead with the Standard crimp tool. The Micro tool is for the finest wire and the Mighty tool for heavy wire. For Beadsmith tubes, compare the inside diameter with the table: the 2.0 mm tube with a 1.27 mm hole matches a Beadalon #2 tube.
What You Need
- Beading wire: the finished length plus about 6 inches
- Crimp tubes or crimp beads sized to the wire: 2, plus a spare
- A clasp and 1 jump ring from jewelry findings
- Crimp covers: 2 (optional)
- Wire guardians: 2 (optional)
- A crimp tool, flush cutters and chain nose pliers, all in tools
- A bead stopper: 1
How to Crimp With a Crimp Tool
- Cut the wire. Cut the finished length plus about 6 inches with flush cutters, not scissors.
- Thread the crimp and clasp. Slide on a crimp tube, then the clasp, and bring the wire back through the crimp, leaving a 1 to 2 inch tail.
- Set the loop. Slide the crimp toward the clasp, leaving a small loop so the clasp swings freely. The 2 wires should lie side by side in the tube, not crossed.
- Back notch. Place the crimp in the back notch, nearest the handles, which has a ridge on one jaw. Hold the wires apart so the ridge presses between them, and squeeze firmly. The crimp now has a groove with a wire in each channel.
- Front notch. Stand the creased crimp on its edge in the front notch, nearest the tip, and squeeze to fold it in half. Turn it slightly and squeeze again to round it.
- Tug test. Pull firmly on the wire and clasp. If the crimp slips, cut it off and use a new one.
- String the beads. Clip a bead stopper on the open end and string the beads, passing the first 2 or 3 over the tail. Trim the tail where it exits a bead.
- Finish the second end. Add a crimp and the jump ring, pass the wire back through the crimp and 2 or 3 beads, and pull snug while holding the strand in a curve so it is not jammed tight. Crimp, test and trim as before.
The Flat Crimp: Chain Nose Pliers Method
No crimp tool? Set up the crimp and loop as above, then squeeze the crimp flat in smooth-jawed chain nose pliers with 1 firm press. It holds well and is the method many beaders learn first. The result is a flat rectangle with corners that can be sharp, so it looks best under a crimp cover.
Finishing With a Crimp Cover
A crimp cover is a hollow, open metal bead shaped like a C. Closed over a finished crimp, it looks like a small round metal bead. We carry 3 mm, 4 mm and 5 mm covers in silver plated and gold color, plus assorted packs.
Use 3 mm covers on crimps up to about 2 mm across (#1 crimp beads, #1 to #3 tubes) and 4 mm covers on 2.5 mm to 3 mm crimps (#2 and #3 crimp beads, #4 tubes). Slip the cover over the crimp and close it gently with the outer jaw of the Mighty crimp tool or chain nose pliers, turning it between squeezes so it stays round.
Using a Wire Guardian
A wire guardian is a small horseshoe-shaped tube that sits inside the loop at the clasp, so the wire does not rub on the bare clasp ring and keeps a smooth curve. Thread the wire through one leg, hang the clasp on the curve, then bring the wire out of the other leg and back through the crimp. The .022 inch guardians fit the common .015 and .018 inch wires, and the .027 inch size leaves room for thicker wire.
Common Crimping Mistakes
- Wrong size crimp. Too large and the wire slides out under weight; too small and the wire will not pass twice, or the crimp splits.
- Crimping too close to the clasp. With no loop, the clasp cannot move and the wire bends sharply at the ring until it breaks.
- Crossed wires in the tube. The crimp cannot close evenly and grips at only 1 point.
- Stringing too tight. A drum-tight strand will not drape, and the end beads grind together.
- Oil on the wire. Mineral oil and lotion can let wire slip through a crimp, so oil matte beads before stringing.
How Many Crimps Do You Need?
One at each end, so 2 per strand. For heavy stones, some designers add a second crimp at each end as a backup. In a floating or illusion necklace, a crimp on each side holds a bead in place on bare wire, so allow 2 per floating bead plus the ends, and keep a few spares.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size crimp do I need for .018 wire?
A #2 crimp tube or a #1 crimp bead, closed with the Standard crimp tool. Both are rated for .018 inch wire.
Do I need a crimp tool?
No. Chain nose pliers can flatten a crimp and it will hold. A crimp tool makes a rounder, neater crimp and is worth having if you make necklaces regularly.
Are crimp tubes better than crimp beads?
For most work, yes: tubes fold more neatly and grip more evenly with a crimp tool. Crimp beads work just as well flattened with pliers.
Can you use crimp beads on elastic cord?
No. A crimp can cut elastic as it closes. Finish elastic with a surgeon's knot and a dab of glue.
Why did my crimp come loose?
Usually the crimp was too large for the wire, the wires crossed inside it, or it was not squeezed firmly in the back notch. Cut it off and redo it.
Shop Crimps and Tools
Our crimp beads, tubes and covers come in every size above, crimp tools and cutters are in tools for jewelry making, Beadalon 7, 19 and 49 strand wire is in stringing wires, and clasps and jump rings are in jewelry findings. To choose the wire itself, see our guide to choosing the right stringing wire.
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