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          Measurements, Gauges & Jewelry Terms

          Wire Gauge (also used for Sheet)

          Q:   How do you read wire gauge sizes?
          A:   The main thing to remember with wire gauge is that the larger the gauge, the smaller the size.
          Wire Gauge Conversion Chart
          Sizes listed are AWG (American Wire Gauge)
          Wire Gauge Inches Millimeters
          6   0.162 4.11
          8   0.1293.27
          9   0.114 2.91
          10Illustration of 10-gauge wire size (image courtesy of Rings-Things.com) 0.102 2.56
          12Illustration of 12-gauge wire size (image courtesy of Rings-Things.com) 0.081 2.05
          14Illustration of 14-gauge wire size (image courtesy of Rings-Things.com) 0.064 1.63
          15Illustration of 15-gauge wire size (image courtesy of Rings-Things.com) 0.057 1.45
          16Illustration of 16-gauge wire size (image courtesy of Rings-Things.com) 0.051 1.30
          17Illustration of 17-gauge wire size (image courtesy of Rings-Things.com) 0.045 1.14
          18Illustration of 18-gauge wire size (image courtesy of Rings-Things.com) 0.040 1.02
          19Illustration of 19-gauge wire size (image courtesy of Rings-Things.com) 0.036 0.914
          20Illustration of 20-gauge wire size (image courtesy of Rings-Things.com) 0.032 0.813
          21Illustration of 21-gauge wire size (image courtesy of Rings-Things.com) 0.029 0.737
          22Illustration of 22-gauge wire size (image courtesy of Rings-Things.com) 0.025 0.635
          24Illustration of 24-gauge wire size (image courtesy of Rings-Things.com) 0.020 0.508
          25Illustration of 25-gauge wire size (image courtesy of Rings-Things.com) 0.018 0.455
          26Illustration of 26-gauge wire size (image courtesy of Rings-Things.com) 0.016 0.406
          28Illustration of 28-gauge wire size (image courtesy of Rings-Things.com) 0.013 0.320
          30Illustration of 30-gauge wire size (image courtesy of Rings-Things.com) 0.010 0.254
          32Illustration of 32-gauge wire size (image courtesy of Rings-Things.com) 0.008 0.203

          Precious metal sheet and wire are sold by the troy ounce (abbreviated ozt). There are 31.1 grams per troy ounce, compared to 28.3 grams per conventional ounce. Why? The troy ounce originated in the Middle Ages, in Troyes, France, and became the traditional unit for weighing precious metals. The majority of our precious metal sheet and wire are cut by hand, so you may receive a bit over or under the number of troy ounces that you order, but rest assured, we do a final verification of the weight, and charge for the actual amount that is shipped to you.


          Quick References for Round Beads

          Round bead size chart, courtesy of Rings & Things
          Typical Number of Round Beads per Strand

          Size

          16" strand 20" strand 24" strand 36" strand
          3mm 136 169 203 305
          4mm 102 127 153 229
          5mm 81 102 122 183
          6mm 67 85 102 152
          8mm 50 64 76 114
          10mm 40 51 61 92
          12mm 33 42 51 76

          Findings

          Q:   What are "findings"?
          A:   "Findings" is the generic industry term for metal jewelry components: charms, bar pins, ear wires, jump rings, etc.

          General Definitions

          Define: Flush
          A flush cut is a precise straight, 90-degree cut.

          Measurements

          Q:   Are the beads measured any special way?
          A:   Generally, our beads are measured HxWxT, as strung (unless otherwise noted). In other words, the given measurement is taken with the bead threaded along a horizontal string, then listed as height by width by thickness. This means top-drilled beads (hearts, crosses, etc.) that you likely would hang vertically, will be measured on their "side."
          Size Conversions
          1 millimeter (mm) 0.04" (a bit less than 1/16")
          1 inch (") 2.54 centimeter (cm), or 25.4mm

          More on converting inches to mm

          Weight

          How do you count all those little bits & pieces?
          Most findings are packaged by weight. Although we use very accurate counting scales and trays, small variations in each item mean the actual count might vary slightly over or under the marked quantity. We strive to put the exact amount in each bag, although +/- 5% is the standard in the jewelry supply industry.

          At 5%, a 1-gross bag could vary over or under by seven pieces. Smaller quantities will be exact; you can expect a bag marked "1 dozen" to contain exactly 1 dozen pieces.

          Weight Conversions
          1 ounce (oz) 28.35 grams (gm)
          1 troy ounce (ozt) 31.1gm (ozt are used for precious metals)
          1 kilo 1,000gm (twenty 50gm bags)

          Quantities

          Q:     What is a gross?
          A:     A gross (GR) is 144 pieces

          Quantity Pieces Pairs Dozen
           1 gross (GR) 144 72 12
           ½ gross (½GR) 72 36 6

          Q:     What is a mass?
          A:     A mass is 1,200 beads of a single style and color. It is the standard unit of measure for many glass bead manufacturers. Since little or no repackaging is needed, we can offer a substantial discount for masses of many Czech beads. Partial masses are not available at the mass price. When full masses are backordered, they are generally shipped in 3 to 6 weeks. Mass discounts are available for 1,200 of one color of one bead (not for assortments).

          Other Units of Measure

          For a complete list and description of all units of measure used in our Showroom, catalog and online store, see: www.rings-things.com/Learn/Units/

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