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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

13mm-gorgeous-satin-onyx-coin-loose-gemstone-beads-10 13MM GORGEOUS SATIN ONYX COIN LOOSE GEMSTONE BEADS (10)
US $0.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Monday Dec-01-2008 12:05:44 PST
25x35mm-australian-serpentine-jade-loose-gemstone-beads 25x35mm AUSTRALIAN SERPENTINE JADE LOOSE GEMSTONE BEADS
US $0.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Monday Dec-01-2008 12:09:44 PST
wood-tubes--natural-dk-12x5mm-30-pcs Wood tubes, natural dk - 12x5mm - 30 pcs.
US $0.30 (0 Bid)
End Date: Monday Dec-01-2008 12:16:45 PST
jx016-cloisonne-enamel-rood-loose-bead-free-shipping JX016 Cloisonne Enamel Rood Loose Bead Free Shipping
US $5.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Monday Dec-01-2008 12:32:17 PST
semiprecious-stone-bead-lot-14mm-pipe tube-shaped--20pc Semiprecious Stone Bead Lot 14MM Pipe/Tube Shaped 20pc
US $4.99
End Date: Monday Dec-01-2008 12:33:07 PST
32mm-radiant-sunsitara-goldstone-loose-gemstone-beads 32mm RADIANT SUNSITARA GOLDSTONE LOOSE GEMSTONE BEADS
US $0.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Monday Dec-01-2008 12:36:10 PST
toho-6 0-e-japanese-seed-beads-yellow-lnd-black-diamond TOHO 6/0 E Japanese Seed Beads Yellow Lnd Black Diamond
US $2.99
End Date: Monday Dec-01-2008 12:36:16 PST
toho-15 0-japanese-seed-beads-turquoise-opaque TOHO 15/0 Japanese Seed Beads Turquoise Opaque
US $2.09
End Date: Monday Dec-01-2008 12:36:41 PST
brilliant-millefiori-loose-gemstone-beads-foxy BRILLIANT MILLEFIORI LOOSE GEMSTONE BEADS FOXY
US $0.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Monday Dec-01-2008 12:36:48 PST
toho-6 0-e-japanese-seed-beads-white-ceylon-pearl TOHO 6/0 E Japanese Seed Beads White Ceylon Pearl
US $3.69
End Date: Monday Dec-01-2008 12:36:52 PST
toho-6 0-e-japanese-seed-beads-ruby-transparent-matte TOHO 6/0 E Japanese Seed Beads Ruby Transparent Matte
US $3.99
End Date: Monday Dec-01-2008 12:37:05 PST
brilliant-millefiori-loose-gemstone-beads-foxy BRILLIANT MILLEFIORI LOOSE GEMSTONE BEADS FOXY
US $0.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Monday Dec-01-2008 12:37:33 PST
toho-15 0-japanese-seed-beads-yellow-lnd-black-diamond TOHO 15/0 Japanese Seed Beads Yellow Lnd Black Diamond
US $2.49
End Date: Monday Dec-01-2008 12:38:35 PST
toho-15 0-japanese-seed-beads-crystal-rainbow TOHO 15/0 Japanese Seed Beads Crystal Rainbow
US $2.19
End Date: Monday Dec-01-2008 12:38:47 PST
25mm-genuine-bronzite-wavy-coin-loose-gem-beads-3 25mm GENUINE BRONZITE WAVY COIN LOOSE GEM BEADS (3)
US $0.99 (1 Bid)
End Date: Monday Dec-01-2008 12:39:01 PST
23x34mm-exquisite-cinnabar-butterfly--loose-gem-beads 23x34mm EXQUISITE CINNABAR BUTTERFLY LOOSE GEM BEADS
US $0.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Monday Dec-01-2008 12:39:22 PST
russian-muscovite-coin-loose-gemstone-beads-25mm-foxy RUSSIAN MUSCOVITE COIN LOOSE GEMSTONE BEADS 25MM FOXY
US $0.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Monday Dec-01-2008 12:39:39 PST
3-australian-serphanite-jade-loose-gemstone-beads (3) AUSTRALIAN SERPHANITE JADE LOOSE GEMSTONE BEADS
US $0.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Monday Dec-01-2008 12:40:09 PST
40x25mm-carnelian-rectangle-loose-gemstone-beads-2 40x25mm CARNELIAN RECTANGLE LOOSE GEMSTONE BEADS (2)
US $0.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Monday Dec-01-2008 12:40:50 PST
50cttw-australian-serpentine-jade-loose-gemstone-beads 50cttw Australian SERPENTINE JADE Loose Gemstone BEADS
US $0.94 (1 Bid)
End Date: Monday Dec-01-2008 12:41:16 PST
18x35mm-russian-muscovite-briolette-loose-gem-beads-2 18x35mm RUSSIAN MUSCOVITE BRIOLETTE LOOSE GEM BEADS (2)
US $0.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Monday Dec-01-2008 12:42:20 PST
lemon-jade-navette-briolette-loose-gemstone-beads-3 LEMON JADE NAVETTE BRIOLETTE LOOSE GEMSTONE BEADS (3)
US $0.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Monday Dec-01-2008 12:42:58 PST
radiant-carnelian-flower-loose-gemstone-beads-31mm RADIANT CARNELIAN FLOWER LOOSE GEMSTONE BEADS 31mm
US $0.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Monday Dec-01-2008 12:43:01 PST
exqusite-mother-of-pearl-loose-gemstone-beads-8 EXQUSITE MOTHER OF PEARL LOOSE GEMSTONE BEADS (8)
US $0.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Monday Dec-01-2008 12:44:48 PST
19mm-red-artistic-jasper-cross-loose-gemstone-beads-8 19mm RED ARTISTIC JASPER CROSS LOOSE GEMSTONE BEADS (8)
US $0.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Monday Dec-01-2008 12:46:01 PST