Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

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Searching for solid color wire

I would like to be able to find colored wire without plastic coating that I can use for my jewelry projects. Preferably I would like to have wire that is colored completely through (no copper showing after cuts are made) bright colors as well as natural colors. From 16 gauge up to 24 gauge. Please help me find or let me know if such wire exist for common hobby use.

Juliana Masters
hobbyist - Radcliff, Kentucky, USA
2003

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2003

I can't think of any material other than solid plastic that will have a solid color throughout when its cut (other than the colors of the metal itself). You can try aluminum, titanium, or niobium wire which when anodized forms a surface color but will still be the base metal color on the ends after its cut.

Aluminum is by far the most cost efficient material and is available in the most colors. Something to keep in mind is that the coating is ceramic and will form stress cracks if its bent in tight radiuses. Either don't bend it much or anodize it after its bent. If you want to anodize it yourself I suggest using titanium or niobium since those anodizer setups are much easier and safer. I got my anodizer(titanium and niobium) from a company called reactive metals studio. It cost me about $400 and has lasted many years, I have also seen plans available on the net for making your own anodizer. With titanium you can heat it with a torch to get many beautiful colors (check out www.jensenknives.com, in the knife section for some examples) if you want to order aluminum wire already colored, East West DyeCom carries some interesting stuff for the hobbyist.

Good luck!

Jason Aube
- Flint, Michigan