Which elastic thread to choose for jewelry?

What is the best elastic thread for bracelet and necklace?

There are three main families of elastic yarns with all three having their qualities and defects. This technical sheet will allow you to find the type of elastic thread most suitable for your creation because not all elastic threads are suitable for all uses or for all creations. There are many parameters to take into account: the type of elastic thread, the size of the bead hole and the weight of the beads.

Questions to ask yourself before buying elastic thread:

Are you going to use it for a bracelet, necklace, hair accessory or other? With small or large beads? Light or heavy? Will you need a needle or will you string the beads by hand?

The different types of elastic threads and their uses :

• Nylon or Silicone Elastic Thread: These two threads look the same and are available in the same sizes. Silicone thread deteriorates slightly less quickly over time than nylon thread. The differences in elasticity and resistance are mainly due to the different manufacturing processes of the brands and not so much to the material itself. They are available in transparent and colored for the nylon thread. The different pigments of the colors can also play on the chemical composition of the nylon and thus influence its elasticity or its durability, hence the differences in quality that can exist from one color to another for the same brand.

  

• Multi-strand elastic yarn: This is an elastic yarn composed of several elastic threads. More elastic than nylon or silicone thread, it is also considered more resistant because even if one of the threads that compose it breaks, the bracelet will not break immediately thanks to the other threads unlike silicone and nylon thread that will break at once. It also means that when the wire starts to wear out small elastic threads will start to come out of the bracelet. It is more elastic and therefore less likely to deform than nylon or silicone wire, provided you use small and light beads. Because of its elasticity, it is not suitable for bracelets with heavy beads. It can be used for multi-row elastic creations but care must be taken not to weaken the thread with the needle when weaving the beads together.

• Sheathed elastic thread: This is an elastic thread surrounded by non-elastic thread. It is very elastic but it relaxes quite quickly over time. It is more suitable for the creation of hair accessories because its sheathing in synthetic or cotton thread slides without damaging the hair. It can also be used to create jewelry by children because it is easier to handle and to tie.

• Bliss Elastico : Very nice elastic thread to use as a decorative element of a creation. Similar in its composition to the sheathed elastic thread. It is best suited for stringing a single bead or charm or to connect a spacer. It can also be crocheted by experienced crocheters for elastic creations or can be used for decoration. Similar strength to gimped thread but sensitive to friction.
  
  

Which threads to use for which beads ?

Recommended bead sizes. You can choose to use larger beads than recommended, but the heavier the beads and the thinner the wire, the faster your bracelet will lose its elasticity. Use the largest size of thread possible for the size of the bead hole. If you need to use a needle, you can take a thinner thread and double it.