# Wire wrapping

> Wire wrapping holds stones and beads with bent and coiled wire, without soldering: loops, hooks, pendants and wire settings.

- Source: https://www.711grados.com/en/wire-wrapping/
- Language: en
- Note: This entry was drafted with the help of AI and is pending review by the author.
- Published: 2026-09-21
- Updated: 2026-09-23
- Translation (es): https://www.711grados.com/es/enrollado-y-trenzado-de-alambre/
- Author: Sandra Sánchez
- Site: 711 Grados (https://www.711grados.com/)

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Wire wrapping creates jewelry by bending, coiling and weaving wire, without soldering. It is used to mount cabochons, beads and crystals.

![Steps of the technique: Cut the wire, Straighten, Make the loop, Wrap, Harden, Finish](https://www.711grados.com/media/diagrams/enrollado-alambre-steps.en.svg "Summary of the steps")

## Basic techniques

- **Simple loop and wrapped loop:** to join beads and links.
- **Spiral coil:** to finish and decorate.
- **Wrapped pendant:** the wire surrounds a stone and holds it.
- **Wire braiding and weaving.**

## Wire

Copper, silver, brass or plated. The temper (“dead soft”, “half hard”) and gauge determine how it works. See [rolling and wire drawing](https://www.711grados.com/en/rolling-and-wire-drawing/).

## Tools

Round-nose pliers, flat-nose pliers and flush cutters; nylon-jaw pliers. See [pliers and tweezers](https://www.711grados.com/en/jewelry-pliers-and-tweezers/).

## Tips

Do not mark the wire with the pliers and harden it with a nylon mallet when finished.

## Step by step

1. **Cut the wire.** A little longer than needed.
2. **Straighten.** With nylon-jaw pliers.
3. **Make the loop.** With round-nose pliers.
4. **Wrap.** Coil the wire two or three turns.
5. **Harden.** With a nylon mallet.
6. **Finish.** Cut and tuck away the ends.

## Tools and materials

- Soft copper, silver or brass wire
- Pliers ([pliers](https://www.711grados.com/en/jewelry-pliers-and-tweezers/))
- Flush cutters
- Nylon mallet

## Common mistakes

- Leaving sharp ends.
- Marking the wire with the jaws.
- Using hard wire: it breaks.
- Not hardening the piece at the end.

## See also

- [Jewelry pliers and tweezers: types and uses](https://www.711grados.com/en/jewelry-pliers-and-tweezers/)
- [Bending, curving and twisting metal](https://www.711grados.com/en/bending-curving-and-twisting/)
- [Rolling and wire drawing: sheet and wire](https://www.711grados.com/en/rolling-and-wire-drawing/)