Jewellery Cord Compared: Elastic Rainbow String, Genuine Leather 3mm & Genuine Leather 2mm

The cord you choose defines the character of your jewellery — stretchy elastic for comfortable everyday bracelets, thick leather for bold statement pieces, or finer leather for intricate braided designs. Our Jewellery & Beading Cord collection carries three distinct options: a 100m rainbow elastic cord for bracelet making, and two genuine leather cords in different diameters from GENIQUE. Here's how they compare.

1. Tenn Well 1mm Elastic Cord for Bracelet Making – 100m Rainbow String

£19.27

The Tenn Well 1mm Elastic Cord is the high-volume, beginner-friendly option — 100 metres of stretchy rainbow string compatible with most bead types including pony, clay, and glass beads. The 1mm diameter is the standard size for beaded bracelets, and the elastic core means finished pieces slip on and off comfortably without a clasp. The vibrant rainbow colouring adds visual interest even before you add beads, and the convenient coil packaging keeps it tangle-free during use. At £19.27 for 100m, it's the most affordable cord in this comparison and the best choice for anyone making multiple bracelets, running a craft workshop, or just starting out with jewellery making.

Best for: Beaded bracelets, beginners, craft workshops, high-volume making, pony/clay/glass bead projects.
Diameter: 1mm | Length: 100m | Material: Fabric-covered elastic core | Colour: Rainbow | Stretch: ✅ Elastic

2. GENIQUE 3mm Genuine Round Leather Cord – Antique Brown, 10m

£25.89

The GENIQUE 3mm Leather Cord is the bold, statement-making option — a thick, supple genuine leather cord in a rich antique brown that brings a premium, artisan quality to any piece. At 3mm diameter, it's the thicker of the two GENIQUE cords and the right choice for chunky necklaces, wrap bracelets, belts, and dreamcatchers where the cord itself is a visible design element. The waterproof treatment prevents moisture damage and colour bleeding against skin, and the genuine leather construction knots effortlessly and holds its shape over time. At £25.89 for 10m, it's the same price as the 2mm cord but with less yardage — the trade-off for the bolder, more substantial diameter.

Best for: Chunky necklaces, wrap bracelets, belts, dreamcatchers, statement pieces where the cord is a design feature.
Diameter: 3mm | Length: 10m | Material: Genuine leather | Colour: Antique Brown | Waterproof: ✅ | Stretch: ❌ Non-elastic

3. GENIQUE 2mm Genuine Leather Cord – Antique Brown, 20m

£25.89

The GENIQUE 2mm Leather Cord shares the same premium genuine leather construction and antique brown colourway as the 3mm version, but at a finer 2mm diameter and double the length at 20m. The finer diameter makes it the better choice for intricate braided patterns, delicate necklaces, and designs where you want the leather to complement rather than dominate the piece. The same waterproof treatment and supple, flexible texture apply. At £25.89 for 20m — the same price as the 3mm cord but twice the yardage — it's the better value-per-metre option and the right choice for makers who work through cord quickly or want more material for complex multi-strand designs.

Best for: Intricate braiding, delicate necklaces, multi-strand designs, makers wanting more yardage at the same price.
Diameter: 2mm | Length: 20m | Material: Genuine leather | Colour: Antique Brown (distressed) | Waterproof: ✅ | Stretch: ❌ Non-elastic

Side-by-Side Comparison

Which Jewellery Cord Is Right for You?

The choice comes down to the style of jewellery you make. If you create beaded bracelets — especially with pony, clay, or glass beads — the Tenn Well Elastic Cord at £19.27 for 100m is the natural choice: stretchy, affordable, and with enough yardage to make dozens of pieces. The rainbow colouring is a bonus that adds visual interest to simpler designs.

If you work with leather and want a cord that makes a bold visual statement, the GENIQUE 3mm Leather Cord at £25.89 for 10m is the thicker, more substantial option — ideal for chunky necklaces, wrap bracelets, and any design where the cord itself is the centrepiece. And if you prefer finer leather work — intricate braiding, delicate necklaces, or multi-strand designs — the GENIQUE 2mm Leather Cord at £25.89 for 20m gives you double the yardage at the same price, making it the better value-per-metre option for makers who work through cord quickly.

Browse all three and more in our Jewellery & Beading Cord collection.