FAQ & Information

Birthstone Chart

Useful Beading Information

Beads Per Inch:

This chart is designed to give you a starting point to figure out how many beads you'll need. All counts are rounded to the nearest 1/4. If you need to calculate other lengths just remember that there are 25 .4mm per inch. You should also figure in the length of your clasp.

About Seed Beads:

As most beads are coated on the inside as well as the outside, they are delicate. A scratch on the inside will cause discoloration. Some colors may be discolored with friction, some with the touch of chlorine bleach. Colors may also fade when left for a long time as the result of silver oxidization phenomenon.

When using rainbow beads you should avoid prolonged storage in high temperature and a humid area. The silver lined beads are lined with silver plating, so may become discolored when in contact with chlorine bleach, turning the silver color to black. It may also turn to brown or black by air or sweat. When left in the condition of certain temperature and also high humidity for a period of 8 hours or longer they have also become discolored. Try to avoid any direct sunlight, high temperatures or high humidity for any long period of time.

Color tone can also change depending on the gloss of the glass and sizes, also by the production lot.

Seed beads are measured in aughts, as we are used to inches and millimeters, aughts are the number of beads that are lined up in a given space. In other words a 6/0 bead means that you will get 6 beads in the space. 11/0 beads will be eleven beads in the same space. The smaller the number the bigger the bead. Hopefully the following chart will help some on determining the size of bead. Just remember that the sizes are approximate as there are differences between manufacturers and countries of origin.

Bead Sizes are measured in millimeter (mm) sizes. 25.4 millimeter is equivalent to 1 inch.

Some seed bead finishes and abbreviations:

For beading thread & needles the guide below is based on English beading needles and Nymo thread.

If you get into the habit of pre-stretching your thread before use it will help eliminate sagging threads.

Stinging Material:

Flexible Beading Wire - use with Crimp Beads

For most stringing methods this is the preferred material as it is strong and flexible. It is stranded steel cable coated with nylon. Some of the brand names include Soft Flex, BEADALON, Acculon, and Accuflex. Beading wire comes in different weights .010 & .014 for pearls, gemstones and seed beads, .019 for glass and stone beads, .024 for heavy glass and bigger stone beads. Some advantages are there strength and ease of use. The inexpensive (Tigertail) 3 & 7 strand has a tendency to kink.

Elastic - Tie with an overhand knot and set knot with jewelry or super glue.

Comes in a variety of materials and weights. It is easy to wear but not very long lasting. Gossamer floss works well with seed beads & pearls, but has a tendency to fray. Stretch Magic and Elastomer are a polymer cord and will break easily, so you shouldn't use your best or most precious beads with this type.

Findings:

Crimp Beads:

Usually comes in tube shape, twisted or corrugated. There are different diameters for different diameters of wire. Micro crimps are used with .010 or to float beads on the wire. Standard corrugated crimps can be used with or without crimp pliers and will fit .014, .019, & .024 wires. Tube crimps work well with crimping pliers on .014 & .019 wire, but if the tube is thin walled may break Twisted crimps work better without crimping pliers as the twist grip the wire.

End Tips:

These are used to finish necklaces with beading cord, whether it by nylon or silk. They will conceal the knot and allow a finished look with a loop for attaching your clasp. You should also use a jumpring with this assembly in case the clasp fails, you won't have to restring the whole project.

Cord Ends:

Foldover cord ends have a channel to set the cord into and you fold down each side to secure the cord end. Coil ends will hold up well when used properly. Insert the cord into the coil and with the end of the coil closest to you; crimp the end of the wire until it secures the cord. For extra protection add a drop of glue into the gap. You should remember to use glue sparingly as it can discolor and dry out your cord causing it to weaken and break.

Common Necklace Lengths

Collar 12-13"

The Collar will sit high on the neck and will be snug. This is a great length for someone with a long slender neck. It looks great with v-neck clothing.

Choker 14-16"

The Choker sits right along the neckline and is the universal length for most women. Looks great worn casual or dressy.

Princess 17-19"

This length is slightly longer than the choker and is a lovely length for featuring a pendant.

Matinee 20-24", Opera 28-34" or Rope 45" +

All three of these are great casual lengths that can be worn with just about anything, yet conservative enough to be worn for business.

Lariat

Traditionally the lariat was a long 48" open necklace that you tied in the front. The new style can be any length and has an opening that requires wrapping or looping one end to secure. This can be made dressy or casual and can be worn with anything depending on the length.

Metals

Sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver metal. Pure silver is such a soft metal it is mixed with another metal to achieve the desired stability and hardness needed for the findings you would use in making jewelry.

Gold beads & findings are made of different types. There is 24k gold which is 100% pure gold and relatively soft and expensive. 14k is 58.3% gold mixed with other metals to infuse hardness, color and cost. Gold filled is actually the opposite where layers are bonded together with gold on the outside and a base metal on the inside. Vermeil is 14k gold plated over sterling silver. Gold plated is gold color metal plating over a base metal such as pewter or brass. The gold plating can wear off over time.

Tool Tips:

Chain Nose Pliers:

These are the jewelry maker's staple pliers. Similar to the needle nose pliers with a tapered jaw, but shorter and smooth on the inside. These pliers are used to bend, grip and manipulate wire. Can be used for crimping, opening or closing jumprings, ear wires and tucking ends of wrapped wire. Some as the angle helps get into tight spots prefers the bent nose chain plier.

Crimp Pliers:

Crimp pliers are used to get a more secure and professional finish when using crimping beads. Usually comes in three sizes, but the process is still the same. The size of the tool depends on the size bead you are using. If using 1x1mm crimp beads, you might prefer to use the micro crimp tool, where the regular crimp pliers is good for 1x2mm, 2x2mm and #9 or #12 French crimp beads. Then there is the mighty crimper to use on 3x3mm, #16 or #20 French crimping beads.

Round Nose Pliers:

Round nose pliers have a smooth, tapered cone like shaped jaws. They are used to form loops and wire wrapped loops for making earrings or linked jewelry. The round nose pliers should have a good taper to them and the tips should line up, as well as being well machined and perfectly round.

Wire Cutters:

If you want professional results a good set of wire cutters is the answer. If you are working with wire you need a flush cutter that will cut close and flush, leaving as little a tail as possible to deal with. For cutting memory wire, you should use the memory wire cutter as it is designed for cutting the hardened wire that it is made of. Do not use any other cutters on memory wire as it will damage the blades.

Beading Tweezers:

Beading tweezers are preferred as an alternative method for knotting between beads. This item has a very long tapered tip.

Bead Reamer:

This is covered with diamond surface that, when used, will help smooth rough edges or enlarge bead holes.

Beading Needles:

Needles come in a variety of sizes, the smaller the needle size the larger the needle. They differ from sewing needles, as the eyes are narrower to allow the needle to pass through the bead. They are also longer in length. Sharps are shorter in length, which makes them stiffer and better for bead embroidery. To determine the size you need consult the needle size chart above.

Wire Gauge Chart

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Some of the products we sell may contain small amounts of lead and they will be noted on the web pages. We sell very small products that are not for use by children without adult supervision. We are not responsible for misuse of Glue/Adhesive products. Any illness or death that might be caused by misuse. We are not responsible for any illness that may be caused by any of the products we sell. We are not responsible for choking hazards that may occur if children are unsupervised. And we are not responsible for any choking hazards for adults either. We are not responsible for any injurys that may occur with the use of any craft tools we sell.