Specific Knowledge about All Common Types of Beads Used in Jewelry Making

Jewelry making has endless possibilities because there are numerous beads made of different materials in many different colors, shapes and sizes available. You are bound to fell amazing when knowing all types of beads. Here I list 11 common types of beads used in making jewelry for you to have a clearer understanding of different types of beads. 

Different kinds of beads:

Seed Bead: Seed bead is a kind of very small bead and the most common sizes are 2mm to 3mm. They are usually round and made from glass or plastic commonly. The round seed beads are mostly used for bead weaving.

Bugle Bead: A kind of seed beads which is characterized by long, thin, tubular shape. It can be either twisted or straight and generally made from plastic, glass and metal.

Pony Bead: The shape of pony beads are like seed beads, but pony beads are larger and usually made of wood, plastic and glass.

Glass Bead: Glass beads can be made in all colors, shapes and sizes. Glass beads are typically made by heating to melt the glass on a mandrel.

Lampwork Bead: Lampwork bead is a type of glass bead which is created by melting narrow rods of glass with a flame torch. Lampwork beads can be made in different colors. Multiple layers of glass are often used for desired looking.

Wood Bead: As its name indicates, wood beads are made of various woods. You can find some wood beads are natural and some are finished with stain and some are nicely varnished. Wood beads are usually carved into whimsical shapes, plain round shapes and square shapes.

Metal Bead: Metal beads are commonly made of gold, silver, brass, bronze and platinum. These beads are generally used as spacers to be complementary with glass or semi-precious beads.

Plastic Bead: Plastic beads are versatile and readily accessible beads which are often considered as one of the more popular types of beads. Plastic beads in every color, every shape and all sizes can be found, because plastic is so easy to manipulate during the manufacturing process. They can also add fun to DIY projects at affordable price.

Pearl: There are natural pearls and saltwater or freshwater cultured pearls. Natural pearls are usually a pink peach or mauve color and white pearls are usually off white or creamy in color. Natural pears are more expensive than cultured pearls.

Shell Bead: Shell beads are small discs or short tubes cut from a variety of natural shell materials. Abalone and mother of pearl beads are the most common type of shell beads.

Gemstone Bead: Gemstone beads are chips of semi-precious stones including different kinds of gemstones like amber, quartz, jade, jasper, garnet and malachite. The price will depend on the type and size of gemstones and the crafting required. Gemstone beads are in almost any color, shape and size.

Crystal: Crystal beads are made by cutting leaded glass into flat faces with sharp angles for additional shine. Crystals are often used for making special and glamorous jewelries, wedding dresses and tiaras. Clear crystals are often referred to as rhinestones. You can found fine crystals in a range of colors, sizes and designs.

After knowing the characteristics of all types of beads used in jewelry making, you may find the desired beads for your DIY projects. And matching two or more kinds of beads in your jewelry will become easy too.