Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray spectrometry have been employed for the description of metal wrapped yarns. Although considerable detail is obtainable as micrographs, and elemental analysis is obtained with ease, caution should be exercised in interpreting results. Several unravelled samples should be examined; light microscopy should be employed prior to SEM-EDS analysis. Examination of eight specimens (six from the textile collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York and two from private collections) is described. The samples were of Chinese, German, Spanish, and Turkish origin. Difficulties encountered in describing this set of samples are enumerated. -- AATA