Using Annealed Steel Wire in Your Jewelry

When working with annealed steel wire, gently rub off the coating it comes with.

Fine steel wool works great for this. Once cleaned, the wire behaves like most others-though it may feel a bit stiffer, it holds your designs well.

You must seal the wire when you're finished, or it WILL rust.

Renaissance Wax is one of the best options. It seals out moisture and adds a smooth sheen and soft finish.

Rub it on with a soft cloth, let it dry, then buff with a clean cloth to bring out the shine.

One more tip: consider dedicating a separate set of tools for working with steel wire.

Steel is hard and can damage fine tools, especially cutters. It may also leave black marks on pliers.

Keep one toolset for precious metals and another heavy-duty set for steel wire.