I was taught to push it with my thumb nail. I did that when I made my necklace and the crimp didn't move. It looked like a good fold so I was confident it was crimped properly. After reading the discussion in another thread about bead necklaces coming apart, I decided to test that same necklace this morning. I pushed it with my nail and it moved! I am so upset. Is there a better way to know it is secure?

Thanks so much.

Hi,

Another way is to pull the wire (gently though) to see if it moves or crimp the crimp bead both sides (meaning you crimp one side and then flip it over and crimp the other side) this way is very secure and gives me confidence knowing my jewelry will never come apart.

Hope this helps.

Jack.

I stick my round nose pliers in the hole and give a hefty tug and see if they move.

The trick I have found to good crimping is about 4 or five steps. Lets see if I can explain it.

First I usually use two crimps on each end. That way they are double secure.

I use the crimp tool and put the dent in the bead making sure the wires are not crossed over.

This is where it gets different than most folks. I turn the crimp pliers sideways and and use the end of the crimp pliers to pinch the dent closed just a little bit more.

I take two flat nosed pliers and grab the crimp on each side of the bend and give it a bit more of a bend gently.

Then I use the round part of the pliers to fold the crimp in half. Make sure the handles of your crimp are behind the opening of the bend since as you fold you want the motion to match the bend.

Then I take my flat nose pliers and give the bent crimp a gentle squeeze to ensure it is closed well.

Be gentle with the crimps, under too much work or pressure they can break the beading wire and your necklace will still come apart.

I also know that cheap crimps just do not do the job professional crimps do. It is worth the pennies to ensure your necklace stays together.

Over the years I have been selling jewelry I only know of four necklaces that came apart and they were all worn for years before the strand broke above the crimp, no beads were lost.

Szarka

I take it your talking about the folding crimps at the end of cords or leather? I always finish them off with my pliers. The calotte crimps? Well, I have a pair of pliers that does that fine, it stops me from squeezing the crimp too hard and breaking it. Was that any good?

If you are talking about regular crimping with necklaces and/or bracelets, I use the thumb method.  After I crimp both sides, I take it and give it the pull test.  Then I cut the extra wire off then do the pull test again.  I haven't had any problems if I do the pull test twice.  Of course, you have o have the size crimp that matches the size beading cord that you are using.  If you are using .010 then you would need a very tiny crimp bead.  That is the problem that I had at first.  I also learned that the wires need to be sitting side by side.  I hope this helps.  This is what I usually tell my students when I'm beaching jewelry basics. 

here are my steps to ensure as strong a hold as possible:

1. use good quality precious metal crimps (bead stores and craft stores sell very THIN-walled crimps... ugh)
2. crimp, don't smash (I know a lot of people still swear by the smashing method, but I believing proper crimping works best ... and I have a photo tutorial showing the steps)
3. always use a bead between the crimp and the clasp (this cuts down on the friction to the stringing wire by constantly rubbing against the hard edge of a crimp and possibly fraying over time)
4. use the right weight of stringing wire for the project (I use 0.019" and 0.024" for most pieces)
5. double crimp (two crimps at each end) for extra security (even if one crimp fails, there's a back up in place)
6. use crimp covers (they look nicer than crimps)
7. make sure you're using the right crimping plier for your crimps (don't use a micro-crimper on 2x2mm, etc)

I agree whole heartedly with most of these suggestions.  Having a good quality crimp, crimping properly & using the right diameter of wire are all very important.  :)

Sara Hardin

www.SoftFlexCompany.com 

I will read through all your suggestions carefully again. I do follow the correct procedure with the correct tool. Now I only buy sterling and gold filled crimps, 2x2. I just happen to be using Beadalon wire right now, only because that's what they carry in Michaels and ACMoore. I buy it when they have 40 and 50% off coupons. I will try to use the .018 and see if there is a difference.

Does the strand count make a difference? I have been using 19 strand but do have a small spool of 49 strand.

Thank you all very much.. and yes, I yank and yank to test. I went back to all the necklaces I have made and gave each a good tug.  One did come apart but that may have been made with the cheapo crimps. I have started to use crimp covers and they look very nice.

I am curious to try the twisted crimps also. Has anyone tried them?

All your advice will be read over and over again. I appreciate each one. 

Mary 

Mary, you mention that you buy your stringing wire at Michael's.  You don't by any chance also get your sterling crimp beads from there, do you?  If so, that could be 90% of your problem.  Craft store crimp beads are incredibly thin-walled and will break constantly.

Hi Laura, I'm sorry I didn't see your message earlier. I no long buy crimps from Michael's. I get them from the LBS or online from Artbeads.com or gemmall.com. crimping is getting easier for me now. Thanks.

Yay!

I've been double crimping everything.  I think I'm paranoid.  ha!