ParaWire 18 Gauge American Blue Silver-Plated Copper Craft Wire – 25 ft Roll

Add bold American Blue color to jewelry, wire art, and craft projects with ParaWire Silver-Plated Copper Craft Wire. This 18 gauge wire combines a 99% pure copper core with 99% pure fine-silver plating and ParaWire's durable non-tarnish color coating.

At 18 gauge, this wire provides more body and structure than finer 20, 22, 24, or 26 gauge wire. The soft temper keeps it workable for hand forming while the heavier diameter makes it particularly useful for larger loops, links, frames, spirals, pendant structures, and other shaped components.

Features & Benefits

• 18 gauge silver-plated copper craft wire

• American Blue color

• 99% pure copper core

• Plated with 99% pure fine silver

• ParaWire non-tarnish color coating

• Soft temper for forming and shaping

• Heavier gauge for more substantial wire components

• Lead-free and nickel-free colored wire

• 25-foot roll

• Made in the USA

Specifications

Heavier 18 Gauge for Forming

18 gauge is a substantial craft-wire size that works well when the wire itself needs to contribute shape and structure to the design.

At approximately .040" in diameter, it is well suited to:

• Larger loops and links

• Spirals and coils

• Decorative frames

• Pendant structures

• Shaped wire components

• Jewelry components

• Wire sculpture

• Decorative craft projects

Its heavier diameter gives finished components more body than finer gauges while the soft temper keeps the wire workable for forming and shaping.

Silver-Plated Copper Construction

ParaWire's Silver Plated Craft Wire starts with 99% pure smooth copper wire.

The copper core is plated with 99% pure fine silver before the American Blue color coating is applied. This construction gives the Silver Plated collection its characteristic bright appearance beneath the colored finish.

This is silver-plated copper craft wire and should not be confused with solid sterling silver or silver-filled wire.

American Blue Color

American Blue provides a strong, vivid blue finish for jewelry and decorative wirework.

Use it by itself for a bold blue design or combine it with silver, red, white, or other ParaWire colors to create contrasting patterns and multicolor projects.

The color is applied over the fine-silver plating using ParaWire's non-tarnish enamel coating process.

Soft Temper for Hand Forming

Although 18 gauge is one of the heavier craft-wire sizes, ParaWire's soft temper makes it suitable for hand forming with appropriate jewelry and wire-working tools.

It can be bent into curves, loops, spirals, frames, and other shaped elements while providing greater substance than finer wire.

For intricate weaving, binding, and repeated wrapping, a finer gauge such as 24, 26, or 28 gauge will generally be easier to manipulate.

18 Gauge vs. 20 Gauge

Choosing between 18 and 20 gauge depends primarily on how much structure you want from the wire.

18 gauge is thicker and provides more body for larger loops, frames, spirals, and structural decorative components.

20 gauge is somewhat finer and easier to manipulate, making it a versatile general-purpose choice for loops, links, connectors, wrapping, and medium-size formed components.

Protective Non-Tarnish Coating

ParaWire's American Blue coating creates the finished color while helping protect the underlying silver-plated copper.

The coating is designed to withstand normal wear and manipulation during forming. Using smooth, undamaged tools helps reduce unnecessary scratching or abrasion of the finished surface.

Extended exposure to direct sunlight, water, or high humidity can eventually weaken, fade, or discolor the coating.

Ideal For

• Jewelry making

• Wire forming

• Larger loops and links

• Spirals and coils

• Pendant structures

• Decorative frames

• Shaped wire components

• Wire sculpture

• Ornaments

• Mixed-media projects

• Decorative craft work

Frequently Asked Questions

What is underneath the American Blue coating?
The wire has a 99% pure copper core plated with 99% pure fine silver before the American Blue coating is applied.

Is this solid silver wire?
No. This is silver-plated copper craft wire. It is not sterling silver or silver-filled wire.

How thick is 18 gauge ParaWire?
18 gauge ParaWire is approximately .040" in diameter.

How much wire is on the roll?
This roll contains 25 feet of 18 gauge American Blue wire.

Is the wire soft or hard?
ParaWire colored craft wire is soft temper, making it suitable for bending and forming.

What is 18 gauge wire best used for?
Its heavier diameter makes it particularly useful for larger loops, links, frames, spirals, pendant structures, and other shaped components that benefit from additional body.

How does 18 gauge compare with 20 gauge?
18 gauge is thicker and more substantial. 20 gauge is finer and easier to manipulate for general-purpose forming and wrapping.

Is 18 gauge good for fine wire weaving?
It is better suited to forming and structural decorative components. For intricate weaving and binding, a finer gauge such as 24, 26, or 28 gauge is generally easier to work with.

Can I combine it with finer wire?
Yes. The 18 gauge wire can form the primary structure of a design while finer wire is used for wrapping, weaving, binding, or attaching decorative elements.

Is the American Blue finish designed to resist tarnish?
Yes. ParaWire applies its non-tarnish color coating over the fine-silver plating.

Is this wire lead-free and nickel-free?
Yes. ParaWire specifies its colored craft wire as lead-free and nickel-free.

Where is it made?
It is made in the USA.

Micro-Tools makes every attempt to provide accurate information for each item. Actual packaging and/or specifications may be slightly different from the information and picture provided.