I am slowly expanding my ring/wire inventory. While these materials can come from various sources, I've only listed the source(s) I used for each of the materials.
Aluminum, acid etched
Pros: Aluminum oxide is black, and will get on your skin and clothing. Acid etching modifies the surface of the aluminum so it will not oxidize. Yay! Clean aluminum. Cons: Aluminum loses its uniform color and becomes a mottled white and gray with a matte finish.
Current sizes: 16 ga. (.063) x 1/4 I.D., 14 ga. x 1/2 I.D.
Source: The Ring Lord
Aluminum, bright
This is 5356 aluminum wire with a bright and shiny surface finish. It does not leave black aluminum oxide on your clothes and skin, as would dull aluminum (which I don't have...yet.) This type of aluminum is not as strong as the dull aluminum and therefore would not make good armor, but it is plenty strong for standard clothing, jewelry, etc. (things that won't be struck with blunt objects).
Current sizes: 18 ga. (.045) x 3/16 I.D., 16 ga. (.063) x 3/8 I.D., 12 ga. (.094) x 3/8 I.D.
Source: DeCordene Wireworks
Brass
A yellowish alloy of mostly copper and tin.
Current sizes: 18 ga. (.041) x 3/16 I.D.
Source: DeCordene Wireworks
Bronze
An alloy of mostly copper and tin. The color varies depending on the alloy.
Current sizes: Yellowish brown color: 16 ga. (.063) x 1/4 I.D., 16 ga. x 5/16 I.D.
Copperish color: 22 ga. (.025) x 3/32 I.D., 22 ga. x 1/8 I.D., 20 ga. (.032) x 5/32 I.D., 20 ga. x 3/16 I.D., 18 ga. (.048) x 3/16 I.D., 18 ga. x 1/4 I.D., 18 ga. x 5/16 I.D.
Source: The Ring Lord
Copper, Enameled
Copper wire with a colored or clear enamel coating.
Colors: Clear, black, blue, brown, green, magenta, purple, red, silver.
Current sizes: 18 ga. (.041) x 3/16 I.D.
Source: DeCordene Wireworks
Gold Fill 14/20
Brass plated with 14 karat gold. The ratio of gold to brass is 1:20 (by weight). The layer of gold covers the brass, making it tarnish resistant, and giving the item the look of 14kt gold.
Current sizes: 20 ga. (.032) x 4 mm (.157) I.D.
Source: Creative Maille, LLC
Neoprene
O-Rings made of black neoprene rubber that can be added to some weaves to give them elasticity.
Current sizes: 16 ga. (.063) x 5/16 I.D.
Source: The Ring Lord
Steel, Galvanized
Steel plated with zinc to prevent rust. You may hear of smelly galvy. I believe this smell to be due to the galvanization process used, and not due to the zinc itself. I have some galvy armor which has a slightly discernible metallic odor, but nothing bad. I have smelled another person's galvy that had a stench that permeated the room as soon as it was pulled out a bag.
Current sizes: 16 ga. (.063) x 1/4 I.D., 16 ga. x 3/8 I.D.
Sources: McMaster-Carr Industrial Products, The Ring Lord
Steel, Stainless
No fuss, no muss, no rust. It will stay shiny as long as it is not submerged in a liquid. (Stainless requires an oxygen atmosphere to keep itself stainless.)
Current sizes: 22 ga. (.025) x 3/32 I.D., 22 ga. x 1/8 I.D., 20 ga. (.032) x 5/32 I.D., 20 ga. x 3/16 I.D., 18 ga. (.048) x 3/16 I.D., 18 ga. x 1/4 I.D., 18 ga. x 5/16 I.D., 16 ga. (.063) x 1/4 I.D., 16 ga. x 5/16 I.D.
Source: The Ring Lord
Titanium
Light, strong, and has a silvery gray matte finish.
Current sizes: 18 ga. (.045) x 1/4 I.D., 16 ga. (.063) x 3/16 I.D., 16 ga. x 1/4 I.D.,
Source: DeCordene Wireworks
