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This page contains the following sections:
Bead-Related Links:
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Bead Definitions
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Coloration:
Opaque: No light can pass through
Examples: pearls, turquoise, hematite, lapis, malachite
Translucent: Somewhat clear, light can pass through
Examples: crystal, ruby, sapphire, emerald
Iris: An iridescent coating, usually on dark, opaque beads
AB: Aurora Borealis, a pastel multicolored coating on translucent beads
Matte: Not shiny. Matte glass beads have usually been chemically etched (frosted).
Ghost: Translucent matte beads with an AB coating.
Our selection of basic-shaped Czech beads offers a glimpse of the most popular opaque, translucent and coated colors of glass beads available.
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Measurements and Conversions:
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1 mass=1,200 beads
(The weight and size do not matter). A mass is the standard unit of measure for many bead manufacturers, especially in the Czech Republic. Since little or no repackaging is needed, most bead wholesalers offer a substantial discount for whole masses of a single shape, color and size of a bead.
Number of round beads needed for common strand lengths (unknotted):
Bead Size 16" 20" 24" 36"
3mm 130 170 200 300
4mm 100 127 150 225
6mm 67 85 100 150
8mm 50 63 75 113
10mm 40 50 60 90
If you are using a clasp, subtract a few beads for the length of your clasp.
Need more metric conversion information?
We have a page of detailed of inch-to-millimeter and millimeter-to-inch approximations and exact conversions.
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About Seed Beads
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Although types and sizes of seed beads can be mixed within a beading project for an interesting effect, many beaders prefer to work with only one style/size at a time, to give a project uniformity.
Seed beads are sized in aughts, which are different than millimeters. One version of seed bead sizing says that the size (11/0) is the number of seed beads in an inch. Another source says that the seed bead size is related to the size of glass rod used to make the beads. It's hard to say what it really means, but the important thing to remember is that bead sizes are in inverse proportion to the size of the bead. A size 24 is almost invisibly tiny, and size 5 is big.
Rocaille is a word that is sometimes used in place of seed bead. What it really means is a silver (or gold) lined bead with a square hole.
Charlotte seems to always be used to describe size 13 seed beads, with one hand-cut side on each bead. This makes them slightly faceted.
An "E" Bead is also a seed bead, but is a larger size 4, 5, or 6 seed bead.
Seed Bead Size vs. Needle Size
We sell the following sizes of English beading needles, in packages of 25:
10, 12, 13, 15
12 Sharps
Bead Size Needle Size
10 or larger Size 10
11 and 12 Size 12
13 and 14 Size 13
15 and smaller Size 15
Sharps are not actually any sharper than other needles. Sharps are shorter, and usually stiffer than other needles.
Besides bead size, personal preference is usually the reason for choosing a regular beading needle or a sharp. However, sharps are recommended for sewing on leather.
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Commonly Used Birthstones
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These are the translucent, faceted gemstones. There are many alternate sets of birthstones. See our Gemstone Beads Index for much, much more information!
- January: Garnet (blood red)
- February: Amethyst (purple)
- March: Aquamarine (pale blue)
- April: Diamond (clear)
- May: Emerald (deep green)
- June: Alexandrite (imitations are lavender-blue)
The genuine stone is a different color in sunlight than it is in fluorescent light.
Pearls are often used instead of Alexandrite.
- July: Ruby (bright red)
- August: Peridot (pale green) Pronounced 'Pair-ih-doe'
- September: Sapphire (dark blue)
- October: Rose Zircon (pink)
or Opal (fiery, multicolored)
- November: Topaz (natural color is brown;
Treated blue topaz is more popular)
- December: Blue Zircon (A bit brighter blue than aquamarine;
Synthetics and imitations are usually a bright turquoise-blue.)
For more birthstone information,
visit the International Colored Gemstone Association's Web site.
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