Jewelry-Making Resources / Resources-101

Crimping 101

How to Use Crimp Beads to Finish a Necklace or Bracelet

Written by
Rings & Things Staff
Published on
October 26, 2021 6:27:45 PM PDT October 26, 2021 6:27:45 PM PDTth, October 26, 2021 6:27:45 PM PDT

Using crimp beads to finish a necklace or bracelet:

1. String a crimp bead onto the beading cord or cable, then string the clasp.
2. Bend the cable back through the crimp bead.
3. Tighten the loop (but not too tight!). Use crimping pliers to crimp the bead into a small round crimp, or use flat-nose pliers to simply flatten the crimp.
4. Trim the excess cord/cable.
5. Use crimping pliers to close a crimp cover over the crimp bead.
  • For all crimping, apply pressure similar to a firm handshake, but don't squeeze so hard that you work-harden the crimp and make it brittle or break your tool.
  • Use a crimp cover to hide the crimp inside what looks like a 3-4mm round bead.
  • Small center-crimp tubes may require needle-nose pliers or fine-tipped flat-nose pliers.

Wow, this section of our website decided to make those photos a lot smaller than we wanted them to be. So... here's the full infographic. Click for a larger version!


For additional tips and tutorials on using beading wire (stringing cable), crimp beads, crimp tubes, crimp covers, wire protectors & bullion (French Wire), see:
Jewelry Basics (PDF).

#crimping
#jewelry-making basics
#stringing
#education station
Jewelry-Making Resources / Resources-101