Japanese seed beads

Could you please tell me the best quality Japanese seed beads.  I see names such as Matsuno, Miyuki and Toho.  Thank you!

[Russ Nobbs]

Hi!

Myuki Soji, Toho and Matsuno are the major manufacturers of Japanese seed beads.
They each make slightly different lines of seed beads. Myuki and Toho are often spoken of as the slightly better than Matsuno... but that really is personal preference.  Some prefer the more rounded Czech beads.

Whim Beads has a nice picture showing the shape of these seed beads

http://www.whimbeads.com/seedbeads/seed-compare.html

Delicas are a particular cylinder bead from Myuki. Sometimes when people say Delicas, they are referring to the size and shape. Though only slightly smaller than size 11/0 seed beads, Delicas are cylindrical, so have a slightly larger hole and thinner wall, and aren't rounded looking."Delicas" by Myuki, "Treasures" by Toho, and "Aiko" by Toho are all cylinder bead, interchangeable in size and shape.

I don't work with seed beads so I'm just relating what I've heard. Hopefully some "real beaders" will jump in with their opinions based on direct experience.

[RitaD]

I have used both Delicas and Treasures, and have mixed them in projects.  I haven't noticed a significant quality difference in the beads I used, but  found some colors easier in one brand than another.  

I don't have any real expertise on this subject.

[Luann Udell]

Nice photo link, Russ--very helpful, too.
Thanks!
Luann

[fairiebeadz]

Japanese seed beads al have fairly large consistent size holes allowing multiple passes. Having used delicas and a couple others I have not found alot of difference, of course oricing can be an issue depending where you shop. not every supplier will have all colors, or larger quantities. Ya better shop around to see if the colors you need are at one place. I have never had a problem combining cylinder beads of the same size from different manufacturers.

[talky]

Links given by Russ Nobbs is very interesting and useful also... '>