How to Pick Crimp Beads That Hold Wire Securely
Beadalon Crimp Tube Beads fit most .018 to .019 wire with consistent 2mm sizing and four plating options. Mandala Crafts Assorted Sizes Kit covers four gauges and five finishes for mixed-gauge projects. TierraCast Sterling Silver Plated crimps resist tarnish longest on visible clasps.
Beadalon Crimp Tube Beads top this comparison for stringing necklaces and bracelets on standard .018 to .019 wire. Four plating options, silver, gold, copper, and gunmetal, cover most palettes without mixing brands. Plating does wear thin after repeated pliers pressure on the same fold, so covers help on exposed clasps.
Hole diameter, tube versus round shape, and plating thickness all affect whether a finished piece stays together. We compared metal composition and plating across each listing, size ranges against common wire gauges, crimping tool compatibility, and owner feedback on fold quality and tarnish resistance over time.
The best picks, ranked
Beadalon Crimp Tube Beads, 2x2mm
Brass-based tube crimps come in silver plate, gold plate, copper, and gunmetal, sized for two strands of .018 to .019 wire. Beadalon builds its own crimping pliers around this 2mm profile, so the fold comes out rounded rather than crushed flat. A 200-piece tube covers several bracelets or one to two necklace strands.
Pros
- Matches Beadalon two-step crimping pliers exactly
- Four finish options for different project palettes
- Consistent hole size fits standard beading wire gauges
Cons
- Plating can dull faster than solid metal on visible clasps
- Single size tube means no micro or oversize options included
Mandala Crafts Crimp Beads Assorted Sizes Kit
Around 1200 to 1500 copper-based crimp tubes fill this divided storage box across five plated finishes and four sizes. Makers switching between fine chain and heavier multi-strand wire get matching sizes without buying separate packs. Bulk count keeps per-piece cost low for batch jewelry assembly.
Pros
- Five finishes and four sizes cover most common projects
- Divided box keeps sizes sorted for quick access
- High piece count suits production-scale beading
Cons
- Smallest 1mm crimps need fine-tip pliers, not standard crimpers
- Plating thickness varies slightly between the five finish colors
Craft County Crimp Beads Tube Kit
Craft County packs 500 silver-tone tube crimps in one 2mm size for buyers who skip multiple finishes. Base metal construction keeps per-piece cost low for practice projects and classroom settings. Single-size packaging also means less sorting than mixed assortments.
Pros
- High piece count at a low per-crimp cost
- Single size simplifies restocking for repeat projects
- Fits standard 2mm crimping tool notches
Cons
- Only one finish color, no gold or copper option
- Base metal plating shows wear sooner than premium brands
TierraCast Crimp Beads Sterling Silver Plated
TierraCast layers a thicker sterling silver plate over a brass base, which owners report resists flaking better than typical bright silver findings. Packs run smaller, around 20 to 25 pieces, positioning this as a finishing touch rather than a bulk supply. Necklaces and bracelets with a visible clasp area benefit most.
Pros
- Thicker plating resists tarnish longer than base metal crimps
- Smooth, consistent fold with standard crimping pliers
- Matches TierraCast clasps and findings for uniform color
Cons
- Small pack count needs restocking for larger projects
- Only one metal size and finish offered
Cousin Jewelry Basics Crimp Beads
Cousin’s Jewelry Basics line sells silver or gold tone crimps in packs of roughly 150 to 200 pieces, sized for standard 2mm applications. Hanging-card packaging makes this an easy add to a first beading supply order alongside wire and clasps. Clear labeling helps new beaders confirm they bought the right size.
Pros
- Widely available alongside other Cousin beginner findings
- Clear packaging makes size and count easy to confirm
- Affordable entry point for a first wire jewelry project
Cons
- Only two finish options compared to multi-tone kits
- Mid pack count runs out faster on bigger projects
Efulgenz Crimp Beads and Crimp Covers Kit
Efulgenz bundles 2mm crimp beads with matching 4mm crimp covers across roughly five metal finishes, hiding the folded crimp entirely. Combo packaging suits makers who dislike a visible crimped bead at the clasp. Total piece count runs near 600 across both components.
Pros
- Crimp covers hide the fold for a cleaner finished look
- Five finishes match most metal color schemes
- Combo pack saves buying covers as a separate item
Cons
- Covers only fit the included 2mm crimp size
- Fewer plain crimps included than single-purpose bulk packs
Bala&Fillic Crimp Beads Assorted Color Kit
Roughly 1000 round crimp beads spread across ten enamel and plated colors, aimed at colorful or beaded-wire jewelry rather than classic metal tones. Standard flat-nose pliers flatten the round shape instead of a two-step crimping tool. Matching crimps to colored beading wire or cord gets easier with this range.
Pros
- Ten colors match colored wire and cord projects
- Large piece count across all colors combined
- Round shape works with basic flat-nose pliers
Cons
- Round crimps leave a visible crease compared to tube crimps
- Not compatible with two-step tube crimping pliers
Side by side
| # | Model | Material | Best for | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beadalon Crimp Tube Beads, 2x2mm | Brass base, plated finish | Best overall | 9.4 | Check price |
| 2 | Mandala Crafts Crimp Beads Assorted Sizes Kit | Copper base metal, plated | Best value | 9.2 | Check price |
| 3 | Craft County Crimp Beads Tube Kit | Base metal, silver-tone plating | Best budget | 8.9 | Check price |
| 4 | TierraCast Crimp Beads Sterling Silver Plated | Brass base, sterling silver plated | Best for tarnish resistance | 8.6 | Check price |
| 5 | Cousin Jewelry Basics Crimp Beads | Base metal, silver or gold plated | Best for beginners | 8.3 | Check price |
| 6 | Efulgenz Crimp Beads and Crimp Covers Kit | Copper alloy, plated finish | Best for finished-clasp appearance | 8.1 | Check price |
| 7 | Bala&Fillic Crimp Beads Assorted Color Kit | Brass base, enamel or plated finish | Best for colorful designs | 8.0 | Check price |
What matters most
What to Look for in a Crimp Bead Crimp beads are usually brass or copper alloy with a plated finish rather than solid precious metal. Hole diameter has to match your beading wire gauge, or the connection can slip loose over time. Tube shape folds into a smooth rounded bead with a crimping tool, while round crimps flatten with plain flat-nose pliers and leave a visible crease. Mismatched hole size is one of the most common reasons finished pieces come apart, based on owner feedback in reviews.
Which Crimp Size Matches Your Wire Gauge? A 2mm crimp typically threads two strands of .018 to .019 wire, the most common gauge for bracelets and necklaces. Single strands of .010 to .014 wire need the smaller 1mm or 1.5mm sizes instead. Standard two-step crimping pliers, like those Beadalon sells, are built for 2mm tube crimps and will not fold micro crimps cleanly. Buyers switching between necklace and bracelet gauges do better with an assorted kit than a single-size tube.
How Metal Finish Affects Tarnish Resistance Silver plate and gold plate look premium but wear thin with repeated tool pressure on the same crimp. Sterling silver plated brands like TierraCast use thicker plating layers that resist flaking longer, according to the listing. Gunmetal and copper finishes hide fingerprints and oxidation better than bright silver on everyday pieces. Base metal crimps in mixed kits still work fine for costume jewelry that gets replaced often.
Best Crimp Beads for Beginners and Bulk Production Assorted kits from Mandala Crafts or Efulgenz bundle several diameters and finishes in one compartment box, letting beginners test fit before committing to bulk. Production jewelry makers assembling dozens of pieces a week tend to buy tube crimps in tubes of 200 to 500 for cost efficiency. Crimp covers, sold separately or bundled as in the Efulgenz kit, hide the folded crimp for a cleaner clasp. One edge case worth flagging: extra small 1mm crimps need fine-tip pliers, since standard tools can crush them flat instead of rounding them. Anyone working with memory wire or leather cord should confirm end compatibility first, since those materials often need larger-bore fasteners than standard crimp tubes.
Questions worth asking
What size crimp bead works with .019 beading wire?
A 2mm tube crimp is the standard match for two strands of .018 to .019 wire, covering most necklace and bracelet designs sold in Beadalon and similar tube crimp packs.
How many crimp beads do I need per bracelet?
Most bracelets use two crimps, one at each clasp end, so a 200-piece tube covers around 100 bracelets before running out.
Are sterling silver plated crimps better than base metal?
Sterling silver plated crimps like TierraCast’s resist tarnish and flaking longer than plain base metal, though they usually come in smaller pack counts at a higher per-piece cost.
Can you use crimp beads without a crimping tool?
Flat-nose pliers can flatten a crimp in a pinch, but a two-step crimping tool produces a rounder, more secure fold that is less likely to cut the wire over time.
What is the difference between tube crimps and round crimps?
Tube crimps fold into a rounded shape with a crimping tool and hide the seam, while round crimps flatten with regular pliers and leave a visible crease at the fold.
Which crimp beads are best for beginners?
Assorted kits like Mandala Crafts’ or Cousin’s Jewelry Basics line give new beaders multiple sizes and finishes to test before buying bulk tubes in one size.
Do crimp covers fit any crimp bead size?
Crimp covers are sized to match specific crimp diameters, so a 4mm cover fits a 2mm crimp bead but will not seat properly over a smaller 1mm or 1.5mm crimp.
Gold plated vs silver plated crimp beads, which lasts longer?
Neither finish is inherently more durable; longevity depends on plating thickness, so premium brands with heavier plating outlast thin-plated budget packs in either color.
Is a crimp bead kit worth it for occasional beaders?
An assorted kit like Mandala Crafts’ covers multiple wire gauges from one box, which suits occasional beaders better than committing to a single-size bulk tube.
Our pick
Beadalon Crimp Tube Beads remain the strongest all-around pick since their 2mm sizing matches the most common wire gauge and works directly with Beadalon’s own crimping pliers. Makers assembling jewelry in bulk should choose the Mandala Crafts assorted kit instead, since its five finishes and four sizes stretch further across mixed projects. Anyone finishing higher-end pieces where tarnish resistance matters most should pick the TierraCast sterling silver plated crimps despite the smaller pack count.
Jake Monroe
Jake worked as a residential contractor for over a decade before shifting to full-time writing. He evaluates power tools, hand tools and workshop gear through the lens of someone who has actually used them on job sites, not just read the box.
