Beady Talk

All About Seed Beads

Seed Beads are uniformly shaped, spheroidal beads ranging in size from under a millimetre to several millimetres. "Seed Bead" is a generic term for any small bead. Usually rounded in shape, seed beads are most commonly used for loom and off-loom bead weaving. They may be used for simple stringing, or as spacers between other beads in jewelry. Larger seed beads are used in various fiber crafts for embellishment, or crochet with fiber or wire. Seed beads are measured with a /0 numbering system. The higher the number, the smaller the bead. The number refers to the approximate number of beads, per inch, when laid flat (not strung). For example, an 11/0 bead has approximately 11 beads per inch.

Glass Type

Transparent – Clear or coloured beads that transmits light

Opaque – Coloured glass that does not transmit light

Coloured-lined – Coloured or clear transparent glass and have an opaque coloured lining on the inside.

Metal-lined – Clear or coloured transparent glass with a core of real metal or metallic-coloured paint.

Metallic – Metal-like surface coating that is either a baked-on paint or an electroplated finish.

Finish

AB – An iridescent finish that resembles an oil slick. An AB finish may sometimes be called iris, rainbow or aurora borealis.

Luster – Transparent glaze that lends extra sparkle.

Matte – An etched surface that results in a velvety, frosted appearance.

Matte AB – Matte finish with an AB coating that results in a soft, variegated look.

Semi-matte – A slightly etched surface that produces a silky finish.

Galvanized – Coated with an unstable zinc-based finish. This coating which may be shiny or matte, rubs off easily.

Metal-plated – Plated with a think coating of metal such as high-karat gold, sterling silver, copper, titanium, palladium or nickel. This is a permanent finish, though the metal layer may wear all over time.

Pearl – A lustrous pearly finish on an opaque bead.

Ceylon – A lustrous pearly finish on a semi-transparent bead.

Opal – A milky semi-translucent finish. Some are gilt-lined.

Satin – A striated appearance

White hearts – Dark transparent or opaque beads that have an opaque white core.

Two-tone – Made with two colours of glass.

Striped – Made with two or more colours of glass in a striped pattern.

Gold Luster – A luster finish with glowing gold highlights.

Painted or Dyed – Have an impermanent colour coating. Exposure to sunlight will cause the colours to fade and the colourants may rub off when handled.

Terms

Hank – Strung bunch of seed beads of standard length.

3-cut – Small flat cuts on slightly barrel-shaped bead.

2-cut – Tall seed bead, like a tiny bugle bead.

Charlotte – Delicate bead with a cut “facet” on one side.

Bugle – Narrow tubular bead.

Twisted bugle – Narrow tubular bead with a spiral exterior.

Sources: Bead & Button, beadwarehouse.com, Wikipedia.com

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