Artist's Resources:

Common Jewelry-Supply Terms and Measurements

• What are jewelry findings? "Findings" is the generic term for metal jewelry components—bar pins, posts, charms, barrette backs, etc.



• A gross is a common unit of measurement in the jewelry component industry. It's normally abbreviated as GR. Don't mistake GR (gross) for g (gram)! 1 gross (1GR) is always 144 pieces (12 dozen), no matter what the finding.



• 1 gram (1g) is a weight, rather than a certain number of pieces. Usually only very tiny findings, such as crimp beads, are measured in grams. Almost all other findings are sold by the gross (144 pieces). Some beads are measured in 50-gram bags, with discounts for full kilograms.


1 kilogram (1kg) = 1,000 grams (1,000g). A 50-gram bag is 1/20th of a full kilogram bag. Most items measured this way are inexpensive, and somewhat irregular in size, such as "E" beads.


• 1 mass = 1,200 beads. Czech manufacturers normally package their beads by the mass, so quantity discounts are often available for full masses of one size/color/type of bead.
  
  
• See our millimeter and inch conversions to easily translate between metric and imperial units of measure. Handy estimates, and exact calculator conversions.)

Just Getting Started in the Business?

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