The Complete Handbook of Jewelry & Beading Cord
The practical reference for professionals, businesses, and serious hobbyists who select, use, and sell cord for jewelry and beading work
by Alumigogo Books
non-fiction
No fluff, no hype: the definitive reference on jewelry and beading cord, from silk to dyneema.
🔒30-day money-back guarantee — not right for you? Full refund, no questions asked.
About this book
Most jewelry making guides treat cord as an afterthought, a bit of string you buy at the craft store. But for anyone who produces work professionally, the choice of cord affects durability, drape, knot security, and customer satisfaction. This handbook treats cord as what it is: a structural material with measurable properties. It covers natural fibers like silk and linen, synthetic braids like nylon and polyester, and high-tech cords like dyneema and PTFE, explaining how each behaves under real working conditions.
Reader Reviews
Jacob Torres
★★★★★This is a serious reference, and that's exactly what I was looking for. I own a bead shop and I've spent years collecting spec sheets and forum posts. Having it all in one organized book is a huge time saver. The chapter on choosing the right cord based on hole diameter and project weight alone is worth it. My only gripe is that I wish there were more photos, but the text is precise enough that it doesn't really hurt.
Linda Martin
★★★★★I'm a jewelry design instructor and I'm planning to make this required reading for my advanced students. The first chapter really sets the tone: it's not about what's pretty, it's about what works and why. I particularly liked the concrete examples of tensile strength and how they tie to real bracelet weights. I knocked off one star because the section on installation is a bit dense for my taste, but it's solid material.
Gary King
★★★★★Finally, a book that treats cord as an engineering material. I do high-end custom beading work, and I need to know that the silk or nylon I choose will hold up in a necklace that gets worn daily. The maintenance and troubleshooting chapter is superb - I solved a recurring crimp failure I'd been having by reading the section on hardness and crimp fit. This is my new go-to gift for anyone serious about beading.
Joseph Thomas
★★★★★It's well written and comprehensive, but I felt it was a bit too technical for me. I'm an enthusiastic hobbyist and I mostly make gifts for friends. The chapter on business opportunities, for example, is completely irrelevant to me. I appreciate the accuracy, but I got a similar level of practical help from a few YouTube tutorials. I'd recommend it to a professional, but not to someone just starting out who wants a lighter intro.
Amy Jackson
★★★★★This is the book I didn't know I needed. I do a lot of mixed-media work, and I've had cord stretch or fray in ways I never could diagnose. That's all resolved now. The detailed specifications are excellent, and I love that they explain the 'why' behind the numbers. It reads like a mentor in the room who knows the craft cold. I've already ordered two more copies to keep in both studios.