Guide to Gauges and Thickness

We are often asked about the thickness of our sterling silver and 14k gold items.

Quick Answer - ours numbers are in inches: example .018 of an inch, .035 of an inch (larger). Detailed answer below.

NOT ACTUAL SIZE-image is blown up to show differences

In American Wire Gauge (AWG), the bigger (larger) the number, the smaller the size. This standard of measuring of wire in the US is called the American Wire Gauge (AWG). The higher the gauge number, the smaller the diameter and the thinner the wire (inversely proportional). The AWG standard includes copper, aluminum and other wire materials. Typical household copper wiring is AWG number 12 or 14. Telephone wire is usually 22, 24, or 26. This is also consistent with Brown & Sharpe (B&S=AWG).

However, metals are commonly measured in thousandths of an inch. Our sterling silver items and 14k gold items are measured in inches rather than gauges.

One "mil" = 1/1000 of an inch
Historically the US has used the American Wire Gauge (AWG) system, also known as Brown & Sharpe (B&S) Gauge system which is based on the division of an inch into 1000 units (thousands of an inch). The division of the inch (a standard unit of measurement in US) is required because very small sizes need to be measured and calculated with accuracy and a base of 10 is much easier to calculate with than a base of 12. A shorthand unit is used to refer to "one one thousand of an inch" (a mouthful) and is called a "mil."

The following are the most common thicknesses used on our website.

Inches	millimeters	pieces in an inch
0.035 inch (our thickest)	= 0.889 millimeter	=28 pieces stacked to equal one inch
0.027 inch	= 0.6858 millimeter	=37 pieces stacked to equal one inch
0.025 inch	= 0.635 millimeter	=40 pieces stacked to equal one inch
0.018 inch	= 0.4572 millimeter	=56 pieces stacked to equal one inch
0.013 inch	= 0.3302 millimeter	=77 pieces stacked to equal one inch
0.011 inch	= 0.2794 millimeter	=91 pieces stacked to equal one inch
0.009 inch (our thinnest)	= 0.2286 millimeter	=111 pieces stacked to equal one inch

The table below lists the standards in the wire industry.

American Wire Gauge (AWG)	Diameter (inches)	Diameter (mm)	Cross Sectional Area (mm²)
0000	0.46	11.68	107.16
000	0.4096	10.40	84.97
00	0.3648	9.27	67.40
0	0.3249	8.25	53.46
1	0.2893	7.35	42.39
2	0.2576	6.54	33.61
3	0.2294	5.83	26.65
4	0.2043	5.19	21.14
5	0.1819	4.62	16.76
6	0.162	4.11	13.29
7	0.1443	3.67	10.55
8	0.1285	3.26	8.36
9	0.1144	2.91	6.63
10	0.1019	2.59	5.26
11	0.0907	2.30	4.17
12	0.0808	2.05	3.31
13	0.072	1.83	2.63
14	0.0641	1.63	2.08
15	0.0571	1.45	1.65
16	0.0508	1.29	1.31
17	0.0453	1.15	1.04
18	0.0403	1.02	0.82
19	0.0359	0.91	0.65
20	0.032	0.81	0.52
21	0.0285	0.72	0.41
22	0.0254	0.65	0.33
23	0.0226	0.57	0.26
24	0.0201	0.51	0.20
25	0.0179	0.45	0.16
26	0.0159	0.40	0.13

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Arras Coins / Arras Tokens / Arras Wedding Tokens

History
The custom of the coins originated in Spain. The madrina de arras holds the thirteen gold coins (arras) are given to the bride by the bridegroom, signifying he will support her. Often presented in ornate boxes or gift trays, this represents the bride’s dowry and holds good wishes for prosperity. These coins become a part of their family heirloom.

Groom’s pledge to the bride
The groom gives the bride thirteen gold coins as a symbol of his unquestionable trust and confidence. The symbolism, which may be explained by the officiant, is that the Groom recognizes his responsibility as a provider, and pledges his ability to support and care for her. Acceptance by the bride means taking that trust and confidence unconditionally with total dedication and prudence.

Why 13 coins?
The number 13 represents Christ and his 12 apostles.

How to use in ceremony
The coins are presented to the priest by a friend or relative (usually the purchaser). The priest then blesses the coins and hands them to the bride who places them in the groom's cupped hands at the beginning of the ceremony. The coins are then placed on a tray and handed to an assistant to be held until later in the ceremony. Near the end of the ceremony the box and coins are given to the priest who places the coins in the box and hands them to the groom.

The groom will then pour the coins into the bride's cupped hands and places the box on top. This represent his giving her control as his mistress of all his worldly goods. (Sometimes their hands are tied with a ribbon for this portion of the ceremony.)

Wording on the Coins
These tokens generally have the words "Recuerdo Matrimonial" which translates as "Wedding Souvenir" or "Marriage Memory".

Uses
The use of the arras coins is a Latin American tradition for Hispanic and Filipino weddings, for Cinderella Weddings, Fairytale Weddings, Sweet 16 celebrations, Debutante Balls, Quinceaρeras, and Bat Mitzvahs

Other Mexican Wedding Traditions

Lasso (Lazo Cord)
The Lasso is associated with a wedding prayer during the ceremony. As part of the ceremony to symbolize unity, a large loop of rosary beads is placed in a figure eight shape around the necks of the couple after they have exchanged their vows. The symbolism of the lasso is to show the union and protection of marriage. Special members of the wedding party may be in charge of "lassoing" the Bride and Groom together after they kneel for the wedding prayer. They drape what is usually a white satin circle of cord around the shoulders of the kneeling Bride and Groom, groom's shoulder's first. The lasso may also be tied around their wrists.

The couple wears the lasso throughout the remainder of the service. The loop is symbolic of their love, which should bind the couple together everyday as they equally share the responsibility of marriage for the rest of their lives. A double rosary lasso may also be given by one set of the parents and may be blessed with holy water three times in honor of the trinity.

At the end of the ceremony, the lasso is removed by the couple who placed the lasso on the couple, or the priest. The lasso is given to the Bride as a memento of her becoming the lady of the groom's heart and home and shows their promise to always be together side-by-side.

Pre-wedding tradition: A party to celebrate the engagement is common. The couple may be blessed at home by their parents before the wedding.

Wedding attire and jewelry: The Spanish mantilla, or veil, completely covers the face and shoulders. Brides in many Latin-American countries wear a light blue slip beneath their dresses. The flower girls and ring bearer may be dressed as miniature versions of the bride and groom.

Ceremony: Godparents or sponsors of the wedding (padrinos and madrinos) place pillows for the couple to kneel, present the couple with a bible and present coins in a treasure box. A cord, el lazo, is placed around the couple to show that they are bound together for life. The groom gives the bride 13 coins, called "Arras", as a sign of sharing his wealth with her. In some Latin American cultures only the couple's parents stand with them at the altar.

Most weddings will use the mariachis at the end of the ceremony as a part of the recessional.

Wedding Arras Coins: The thirteen coins (arras or monedas) is presented to the bride by the groom to symbolize the groom's commitment to take care of his bride and make his wealth hers. The passing of coins back and forth is a symbol of sharing wordly goods, for richer or for poorer. The number of coins is significant, thirteen. In catholis Spain, the number thirteen represents Christ and his twelve apostles. The treasure box, el cofre, in which the coins are kept is often elaborate and reflects the status of the family.

Reception and food: The reception is always family oriented and festive. A money dance is sometimes performed to collect dollars from guests. Special favors, called capias, are displayed on a doll dressed like the bride.

For the bridal couple's first dance, guests will gather in a heart-shaped ring at the reception around the couple. Salsa, merengue and the flamenco guitar music may add a Latin flare to the reception.

The capias have the couple's names and wedding date inscribed on them, and are given as favors to the guests. Food may include chili, soups, tamales, fajitas, paella, cake, flan and sopapillas. Other favors could be wedding cookies wrapped in tulle, Spanish fans, note cards of Mexican painters, or pieces of pottery could be given.

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