Function

• The United States measures wire width, known as wire gauge, using the American Wire Gauge (AWG) system. Other countries measure wire gauge using different standards. For example, England uses the Imperial Standard Wire Gauge system to measure sterling silver wire.
  
  

Features

• Sterling silver wire gauges range from zero to 30. Smaller numbers indicate thick, heavy wire and larger numbers indicate thin, lightweight wire.
  
  

Identification

• Measure sterling silver wire with a gauge. To measure the sterling wire, slide the wire into the gauge slot most similar to the wire size. If the wire does not slide into the gauge slot, move wire to the next largest slot. Read the number on gauge slot to determine wire size.
  
  

Benefits

• Sterling silver wire can be used for many purposes including electrical wiring and jewelry making. Thick sterling silver wire can be used to make rings. Thin sterling silver wire, lightweight in nature, can be used for ear wires. Very fine 22- and 24-gauge sterling silver wire can be used for wire wrapping techniques.