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Types of Beads

how_to_choose_beads.jpgHandmade beads: These beads are available in various designs, shapes, and sizes. The coloring of the beads may differ from one bead to another. The most distinctive looks of this type of bead is a round glass bead of single color spotted with tiny glass drops of various colors around the exterior of the bead.
Venetian beads: These are basically round flat discs, mainly characterized by a flower or star figure design. They are prepared by melting together of different tubes of colored glass in order to form the ultimate round design. Now, cut them into different individual beads.

Seeds Beads: These beads are available mainly in two different styles: Czech seed beads and Japanese seed beads. They are calculated through the system of background numbering. If the number is large then the bead will be small. Unlike the round shape of Czech seed beads, Japanese seed beads typically have bigger holes and are more angular in shape. This typical structure enables the Japanese seed beads to create beautiful and high-quality patterns while weaving. The Czech seed beads are mainly sold in hanks and packs, i.e. in large and small quantities, while Japanese seed beads are sold by weight, (grams). A size between 6/0 and 14/0 is regarded as the common size for these seeds.
Pearls: Made in various shapes ranging from rectangle to round, pearls are usually sold in the form of glass or freshwater pearls, which are natural but irregular in form. Very often, you may see pearls having holes only in the middle of the bead. It is recommended to pick a better and smoother stringing material as pearls have tiny holes.
Natural Gemstone: These are available in various shapes, designs, sizes and patterns such as rectangle, circle, square and others. Some commonly used gemstones are garnet, jasper, onyx, quartz, lapis, jade, turquoise, agate, topaz, amethyst, and carnelian. However, many gemstones are not drilled properly, making stringing very difficult. It’s important to carefully examine the holes in the gemstones before buying.

Tension Beads: Mainly used to prevent the falling of beads from the thread while weaving, these beads maintain tension during the beading process, and will be removed once the work is finished. Generally, there will be a 4” to 6″ length of thread under a tension bead that was woven into the beadwork after the removal of the tension bead. You must pass the thread through the bead, encircle around and then pass to the bead over again in the same direction to add the tension bead. Now, the thread is attached without knots enabling to adjust the position of the tension bead.
Delica Beads: These beads have a very big hole which enables various passes between the needle and thread. Their regular shape and size make them the perfect choice for seed beadwork.
Galvanized beads: Well-known for their unique designs, galvanized beads are available in brilliant and metallic colors. Extra care must be taken while using or buying these beads because the metallic coating may fall off easily.
Faceted Beads: They are characterized by a flat surface which is either cut or shaped in a uniform pattern. These beads are available in different shapes and sizes.
Aurora Borealis: Named for their rainbow-like coating, these beads can be transparent, opaque or metallic. They are also known as iridescent beads.
Opaque Beads: As the name suggests, these beads are light resistant beads, which means no light can pass through them. They are characterized by solid colors.
Transparent Beads: Light can pass through these beads. Beads that are lined with silver and other colors start their life as transparent beads.
Cut Beads: These beads are uniform in size, with two-cut beads, three-cut beads and charlotte cuts beads among the three most common types of cut beads. Two-cut beads are very small beads having a round body and a cut at the apex and the base. Three-cut beads are just like gemstones which have cut shapes on all sides. Charlotte cuts are characterized by a cut shape on one side, and are rounded just like regular seed beads

10mm-72pcs-rondelle-loose-crystal-ab-color-beads 10mm 72pcs Rondelle Loose Crystal (AB Color) Beads
US $3.99
End Date: Thursday Sep-02-2010 15:38:37 PDT
170+lavender-dreams-loose-glass-beads-czech-matsuno+lot 170+LAVENDER DREAMS LOOSE GLASS BEADS CZECH-MATSUNO+LOT
US $4.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Thursday Sep-02-2010 15:39:08 PDT
13x18mm-multi-color-picasso-jasper-loose-beads-15-- 13x18mm Multi-color Picasso Jasper Loose Beads 15''
US $1.75 (3 Bids)
End Date: Thursday Sep-02-2010 15:39:53 PDT
10mm-72pcs-rondelle-loose-crystal-ab-color-beads 10mm 72pcs Rondelle Loose Crystal (AB Color) Beads
US $3.99
End Date: Thursday Sep-02-2010 15:45:48 PDT
12mm-green-turquoise-round-gemstone-gem-loose-beads 12mm Green Turquoise Round Gemstone Gem Loose Beads
US $3.62
End Date: Thursday Sep-02-2010 15:46:48 PDT
a105-natural-blue-turquoise-16mm-beads-15--strand a105 Natural BLUE TURQUOISE 16mm Beads 15" strand
US $6.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Thursday Sep-02-2010 15:50:34 PDT
72pcs-8mm-gold-plate-quartz-crystal-faceted-16- 72pcs 8mm Gold Plate QUARTZ CRYSTAL FACETED 16"
US $2.68
End Date: Thursday Sep-02-2010 15:50:38 PDT
10mm-72pcs-rondelle-loose-crystal-glass-beads 10mm 72pcs Rondelle Loose Crystal Glass Beads
US $3.99
End Date: Thursday Sep-02-2010 15:52:50 PDT
25mm-black-onyx-diamond-gemstone-gem-loose-bead-strand 25mm Black Onyx Diamond Gemstone Gem Loose Bead Strand
US $4.53
End Date: Thursday Sep-02-2010 15:52:56 PDT
peridot-chips-gemstone-4-6mm-loose-bead-strand-36-inch Peridot Chips Gemstone 4-6mm Loose Bead Strand 36 Inch
US $4.53
End Date: Thursday Sep-02-2010 15:52:58 PDT
50pcs-mixed-lampwork-flower-loose-glass-beads-~10mm 50pcs mixed lampwork flower loose glass beads,~10mm
US $0.99 (1 Bid)
End Date: Thursday Sep-02-2010 15:58:56 PDT
10mm-72pcs-rondelle-loose-crystal-glass-beads 10mm 72pcs Rondelle Loose Crystal Glass Beads
US $3.99
End Date: Thursday Sep-02-2010 15:59:46 PDT
z4043-blue-20*20mm-mop-flat-rhombus-shell-loose-beads Z4043 Blue 20*20mm MOP Flat rhombus SHELL loose Beads
US $0.99 (1 Bid)
End Date: Thursday Sep-02-2010 16:00:02 PDT
100-pcs-red-coral-sphere-round-gemstone-loose-beads-6mm 100 pcs Red Coral Sphere Round Gemstone Loose Beads 6mm
US $3.00 (4 Bids)
End Date: Thursday Sep-02-2010 16:01:46 PDT
50--orange-&-black-coated-glass-beads-appx-6x4-mm- 50- Orange & Black Coated Glass Beads appx 6x4 mm
US $2.24
End Date: Thursday Sep-02-2010 16:04:32 PDT
lots100pcs-shell-beads-gemstone-loose-bead-6mm Lots100PCS Shell beads GemStone Loose Bead 6mm
US $1.43 (2 Bids)
End Date: Thursday Sep-02-2010 16:04:33 PDT
72pcs-8mm-argentate-silver-plate-crystal-faceted-16- 72pcs 8mm Argentate Silver Plate CRYSTAL FACETED 16"
US $2.68
End Date: Thursday Sep-02-2010 16:10:32 PDT
new-30-inches-black-round-glass-pearl-loose-6mm-beads New 30 inches Black Round Glass Pearl Loose 6mm Beads
US $0.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Thursday Sep-02-2010 16:15:03 PDT
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US $0.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Thursday Sep-02-2010 16:16:05 PDT
10mm-72pcs-rondelle-loose-crystal-glass-beads 10mm 72pcs Rondelle Loose Crystal Glass Beads
US $3.99
End Date: Thursday Sep-02-2010 16:20:39 PDT
140pc-blue-swarovski-crystal-loose-bead-6x8mm 140pc blue Swarovski Crystal Loose Bead 6x8mm
US $1.21 (2 Bids)
End Date: Thursday Sep-02-2010 16:22:08 PDT
50--taupe-color-glass-pearls-appx-8mm-loose 50- Taupe Color Glass Pearls appx 8mm - Loose
US $2.24
End Date: Thursday Sep-02-2010 16:22:53 PDT
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US $0.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Thursday Sep-02-2010 16:24:38 PDT
purple-coin-turquoise-gem-stone-loose-beads-20mm-strand Purple Coin Turquoise Gem Stone Loose Beads 20mm Strand
US $3.49 (1 Bid)
End Date: Thursday Sep-02-2010 16:26:35 PDT
12-multicolor-cloisonne-enamel-loose-spacer-beads-15mm 12 Multicolor Cloisonne Enamel Loose Spacer Beads 15mm
US $0.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Thursday Sep-02-2010 16:27:10 PDT