"Findings" is the generic industry term for metal jewelry components - charms, bar pins, ear wires, etc.
Quantities and Measurements:
Most findings are packaged by weight. Although we use very accurate counting scales and trays, small variations in each item mean the actual count may vary slightly over or under the marked quantity. We strive to put the exact amount in each bag, although +/- 5% is the standard in the jewelry supply industry. At 5%, a 1 Gross bag could vary over or under by 7 pieces.  If it's short more than that, we'll gladly make up the difference. You can expect a bag marked "1 dozen" to contain exactly 1 dozen.

1 Mass is 1,200 beads. (The weight and size don't matter.) A mass is the standard unit of measure for many glass bead manufacturers. Since little or no repackaging is needed, we can offer a substantial discount for masses of many beads. We don't ship partial masses at the mass price. If a full mass is not available, it may be 3 to 6 weeks before we can send the full 1,200 beads.  Mass discounts are available for 1,200 of one color of one bead, not for assortments.

Quantity...    1GR =    1 gross = 144 pieces / 72 pair / 12 dozen
    1/2GR =    72 pieces / 36 pair / 6 dozen
    Mass =    1,200 beads of the same color, size and shape

Weight...    1 Ounce =    28.35gm (grams)
    1 Troy Ounce (ozt) =    31.1 grams (ozt are used for precious metals)
    1 Kilo =    1,000 grams (or twenty 50-gram bags)

Size...    1mm =    approximately 1/16"
    1 inch =    2.54cm (centimeters), or 25.4mm (millimeters)
    1 meter =    1.1 yards, 3.3 feet, or 39.4 inches

Wire Gauge Inches Milli-meters
14 0.064 1.63
15 0.057 1.450
16 0.051 1.29
17 0.045 1.150
18 0.040 1.024
19 0.036 0.912
20 0.032 0.813
21 0.029 0.724
22 0.025 0.643
23 0.023 0.574
24 0.020 0.511
25 0.018 0.455
26 0.016 0.404
27 0.014 0.361
28 0.013 0.320
29 0.011 0.287
30 0.010 0.254
31 0.009 0.226
32 0.008 0.203
Number of round beads needed for
common strand lengths:
Bead Size 16" 20" 24" 30" 36"
4mm 102 125 150 188 225
6mm 67 85 100 125 150
8mm 50 63 75 95 113
10mm 40 50 60 75 90
When using a clasp, subtract a few
beads for the space it uses.

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