Round Wire- Smaller guages/ thinner round wire is ideal for wire weaving, anchoring pieces, and attaching beads.

Square Wire- Ideal for frames, structure, and dimension. (It's easier to weave around square wire because the weaving wire won't slip as much)

Half Round Wire- Ideal for binding frames, bales, and for embellishment.

In general, the lower the gauge number, the thicker/stiffer the wire. Jewelry wire range is usually 12 (very thick) to 32 (super thin).

For Frames/Structure- 16g, 18g, 20g, and 21g

General Wrapping- 22g, and 24g

For Wire Weaving- 28g, and 30g

Dead Soft: Malleable and easy on the hands to work with. It will harden the more it's worked with (i.e bending, twisting, coiling, curling etc), so this makes perfect for both simple pieces, and for intricate pieces that need a lot of components.

Half-Hard: This temper of wire is a bit harder than dead soft, so it takes a bit more effort to hammer or bend. But is still malleable, and holds it's shape easily. This is often ideal for frames, fabrication, and structural components like jump rings.

Full-Hard: This wire temper has been significantly work hardened before it gets to you, so it's much harder to bend but is perfect as a foundation for large/heavy pieces.