ACCURATE MEASURING FOR JEWELRY MAKING
Take the guesswork out of your wireworking and metalworking projects as well as save money and time by setting some measuring rules right from the start of your design project.
To achieve your best design and implementation:
- Minimize waste when cutting. The phrase "measure twice cut once" applies here.
- Use quality measuring tools so your work will be precise.
You'll be a happier jewelry maker when your results are what you set out to create, whether it is consistently similar, graduated or accidentally-on-purpose components.
MEASURING DEVICES
Save valuable time and effort by selecting the best quality you can in linear rulers, metal gauges and digital calipers.
Sturdy metal gauges give a more exact read on the size of wire, thickness of sheet and the millimeters of beads and cabochons.
Take the time to learn how to read a ruler, sliding or wire gauge and how they relate to the materials you are measuring
To measure professionally, go with a digital caliper, it does it all for you.
This compact device is battery-operated and so easy to use for measurements and conversions.
MEASURING RESOURCES
When creating a design from one of the many instructions found on the many available websites or on Youtube there are measurements that need to be followed to replicate the design accurately.
Sometimes the measurements need to be converted to work with the tools you are using for measuring your materials.
To help with measuring conversions, you can view the following charts on the links shown here below:
Jewelry-making books, magazines and other published literature offer a basics section and conversions from standard to metric.
These basics sections also offer invaluable measuring, cutting and forming tips.
A highlight would be to measure the first piece and cut the rest of the pieces to that first piece to ensure exactly sized components.