Wire comes in a range of hardnesses. The softer the wire, the easier it is to shape. Wire hardens as you work with it or hammer it. Dead soft wire is extremely soft and pliable and easy to shape. It can be easily bent and is excellent for making rounded shapes including spirals. The disadvantage of using soft wire is that the finished piece can be bent out of shape if not properly handled. Half-hard wire is slightly stiffer than dead soft wire and can withstand some stress. Half-hard wire is excellent for making tight, angular bends, for making loops in wire, and for wrapping wire around itself. Finished pieces made with half-hard wire are often more permanent than pieces made with soft wire. Our Sterling Silver wire comes in half round, round and square shaped wire. Round wire is the most common shape but half-round and square shaped wires offer fun design options.