MATERIALS
Beads are made from a huge variety of materials. From stone to bone to precious gems, there is bead for every need! Below is an overview of some of the most popular materials that beads are made from.
METAL BEADS
Metal beads can be broken down into two categories: precious metals and non-precious metals (sometimes known as base metals). Precious metal beads include those made from 22k, 18k or 14k gold, vermeil (sterling silver plated with a thick coating of gold), gold filled (silver or other base metal electroplated with gold) and sterling silver. Base metal beads include copper, brass, nickel, bronze and pewter. Some older pewter beads contain lead, which should be avoided. When purchasing pewter beads, be sure to look for beads that are labeled as lead-free.
NATURAL STONE BEADS
Natural stone beads are considered either precious or semi-precious depending on the type of stone they are made from and whether or not the stone is considered rare or valuable. Precious stones are sometimes referred to as gem stones and although there are a variety of different types of precious gems, only few types are actually made into beads. This is sometimes due to the softness of the stone, such as that of an opal, or because of the rarity of a stone, such as a diamond.
Rubies, sapphires, emeralds and tanzanite are a few types of precious stones that are available in bead form. Other precious gems that are not made into beads are instead cut (faceted) and polished and placed into settings or made into cabochons. Some of the varieties of semiprecious gemstone beads are: amethyst, citrine, moonstone, tiger eye, quartz crystal, rose quartz, turquoise, lapis, apatite, iolite, aquamarine, topaz, peridot, malachite, jade, garnet, carnelian, tourmaline, fluorite, jasper, and agate, among many others.
Many gemstone beads undergo a variety of chemical or heat processes that are meant to harden or enhance the colors of the gems. Some of these processes include bleaching, dyeing, hardening, filling, enhancing, oiling and stabilizing.
In 1982 the American Gem Trade Association established a code of ethics for the jewelry industry pertaining to enhanced gem materials. This code of ethics demands that any retailer must fully disclose any and all enhancements made to a stone or gem. If you plan to sell any jewelry that you make, you must also disclose to your customer if any of the stones in your jewelry have been enhanced.
PEARLS
Pearls are always a popular beading medium. Pearls are natural or cultured, and farmed in either saltwater or freshwater. Some common shapes of pearl beads include round, potato, baroque, rice, seed, stick, and coin. Pearls are graded to discern their quality. For example, a pearl that is graded AAA will have an excellent luster, be free of blemishes, be very smooth and have a thick nacre. A pearl that is graded C, on the other hand, may have some blemishes and not be as smooth or lustrous as a higher graded pearl. Pearls are often bleached and are available in a large variety of dyed colors.
Pearls are always a popular beading medium. Pearls are natural or cultured, and farmed in either saltwater or freshwater. Some common shapes of pearl beads include round, potato, baroque, rice, seed, stick, and coin. Pearls are graded to discern their quality. For example, a pearl that is graded AAA will have an excellent luster, be free of blemishes, be very smooth and have a thick nacre. A pearl that is graded C, on the other hand, may have some blemishes and not be as smooth or lustrous as a higher graded pearl. Pearls are often bleached and are available in a large variety of dyed colors.
OTHER NATURAL MATERIALS
Beads are available from many different types of natural materials including wood, bamboo, horn, bone, seashell, coral, seeds, and amber (petrified tree resin). Some of the varieties of coral, shell and bone (usually cow, goat and water buffalo bone) are often bleached and dyed. Amber is always hardened.
Beads are available from many different types of natural materials including wood, bamboo, horn, bone, seashell, coral, seeds, and amber (petrified tree resin). Some of the varieties of coral, shell and bone (usually cow, goat and water buffalo bone) are often bleached and dyed. Amber is always hardened.
GLASS BEADS
Glass beads have been used in jewelry since ancient times. Nowadays, there are a vast variety to choose from. Some popular types include pressed glass beads (also known as molded glass), lampworked or flameworked glass beads, dichroic (pronounced die-crow-ick) glass beads, millefiori glass beads, seed beads and frosted glass beads. Some glass beads are marketed as "glass pearls." These beads are not true pearls but are glass beads coated with paint or an acrylic coating that makes them resemble pearls.
CRYSTAL BEADS
Known for their fabulous sparkle, crystal beads are machine cut glass beads that have an extremely smooth surface. They come in a wide variety of colors and shapes. Some of the most popular shapes are faceted cubes, tapered (diamond shaped), rounds, saucers, and teardrops.
Known for their fabulous sparkle, crystal beads are machine cut glass beads that have an extremely smooth surface. They come in a wide variety of colors and shapes. Some of the most popular shapes are faceted cubes, tapered (diamond shaped), rounds, saucers, and teardrops.
ACRYLIC BEADS
Acrylic beads are made from different types of plastic and are usually the most inexpensive type of beads. They are available in almost any color and shape imaginable and are sometimes made to look like pearls, gemstone and stone beads.
Acrylic beads are made from different types of plastic and are usually the most inexpensive type of beads. They are available in almost any color and shape imaginable and are sometimes made to look like pearls, gemstone and stone beads.
OTHER/MISCELLANIOUS BEADS
Some more unusual beads are made from paper, clay, glazed ceramic, polymer clay, PMC (preciousmetal clay), as well as found objects and repurposed/recycled items (such as dice and coins).
Some more unusual beads are made from paper, clay, glazed ceramic, polymer clay, PMC (preciousmetal clay), as well as found objects and repurposed/recycled items (such as dice and coins).
BEAD SIZES
Bead sizes range from tiny seed beads to large, centerpiece beads known as focal beads. Most beads sold today are measured in millimeters. One exception is the seed bead, which is measured in aughts. Some common sizes of seed beads are 11/0 (2-2.5 mm diameter) and 8/0 (3-4 mm diameter). One important thing to consider when buying beads is the size of the hole. Some beads (namely pearls and gemstone beads) have holes that are quite small and will not easily accommodate a stringing medium that has too wide a diameter. One handy tool used to remedy this problem is called a pearl reamer. With it, you can enlarge the bead's hole.
Bead sizes range from tiny seed beads to large, centerpiece beads known as focal beads. Most beads sold today are measured in millimeters. One exception is the seed bead, which is measured in aughts. Some common sizes of seed beads are 11/0 (2-2.5 mm diameter) and 8/0 (3-4 mm diameter). One important thing to consider when buying beads is the size of the hole. Some beads (namely pearls and gemstone beads) have holes that are quite small and will not easily accommodate a stringing medium that has too wide a diameter. One handy tool used to remedy this problem is called a pearl reamer. With it, you can enlarge the bead's hole.
SHAPES OF BEADS
The shapes of beads that you can buy are nearly as varied as the materials they are made from. Some standard shapes include round, briolette, teardrop briolette, tube, faceted rounds, twisted, rondelle, disc, barrel, flower, leaf, heart, square, diamond, drum, oval, long oval, flat oval, cone, cube, donut, heishi, coin, fan, slab, carved, nugget, pebbles and chips.
The shapes of beads that you can buy are nearly as varied as the materials they are made from. Some standard shapes include round, briolette, teardrop briolette, tube, faceted rounds, twisted, rondelle, disc, barrel, flower, leaf, heart, square, diamond, drum, oval, long oval, flat oval, cone, cube, donut, heishi, coin, fan, slab, carved, nugget, pebbles and chips.
HOW BEADS ARE SOLD
In most cases, the packaging or manufacturer will determine how beads are sold. Some of the more expensive precious metal and gemstone beads are sold individually. Other beads will come packaged by quantity such as 4, 10 or 50 to a package. Many wholesalers offer beads by the gross, which is a quantity of 144 beads. Certain types of beads such as seed beads are sold by weight. For example, a 4-gram tube of size 11/0 seed beads will contain approximately 800 beads. Many pearl and gemstone beads are sold by the strand, and are purchased temporarily strung. When buying pre-strung beads, be sure to note the length of the strand. One common length of pre-strung beads is 16 inches. Others are sold in strands of only four inches. The number of beads that you will receive from a strand depends greatly on the size of the bead and also whether there are spacer beads strung between the beads. Spacer beads are inexpensive plastic or glass beads whose purpose is to display the purchased beads and to separate them so they do not rub against one other.
In most cases, the packaging or manufacturer will determine how beads are sold. Some of the more expensive precious metal and gemstone beads are sold individually. Other beads will come packaged by quantity such as 4, 10 or 50 to a package. Many wholesalers offer beads by the gross, which is a quantity of 144 beads. Certain types of beads such as seed beads are sold by weight. For example, a 4-gram tube of size 11/0 seed beads will contain approximately 800 beads. Many pearl and gemstone beads are sold by the strand, and are purchased temporarily strung. When buying pre-strung beads, be sure to note the length of the strand. One common length of pre-strung beads is 16 inches. Others are sold in strands of only four inches. The number of beads that you will receive from a strand depends greatly on the size of the bead and also whether there are spacer beads strung between the beads. Spacer beads are inexpensive plastic or glass beads whose purpose is to display the purchased beads and to separate them so they do not rub against one other.
What's your favorite type of bead?
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