Beads are like people which come in a wide variety, each with their own unique characteristics such as size, color, and texture.  Beads can be used in making jewelry items, crafts, and home decorations. I only use beads for jewelry making, but I appreciate their other applications. I have broken down ten different types of beads, I have personally used in my bead making projects over the years.

1. Seed Beads: Small, uniformly shaped beads often used in bead weaving and embroidery. They come in various sizes and with the most common sizes being being 10/0, 11/0, and 15/0.  I think that the types of pieces that can be created from seed beads are very beautiful, however, I do not have the patience to work with them.   As I get older, I also find it a strain on my eyes! 

2. Bugle Beads: A cylindrical bead that is defined as being longer than they are wide, typically used in bead embroidery, fringe, and woven beadwork. They come in various lengths and colors such as 3mm, 6mm, and 9mm. 

3. Czech Glass Beads: These are typically high quality, and very versatile beads made from pressed glass in the Czech Republic. They come in various shapes and colors 

including rounds, fire-polished, and table-cut beads. 

4. Miyuki Delica Beads: These precision-cut cylindrical beads from Japan, are known for their uniform size and shape, making them ideal for intricate bead weaving and looming.

5. Gemstone Beads: Beads made from natural gemstones like amethyst, turquoise, jade, and quartz just to mention a few gem stones come in various shapes, sizes and colors often used in high-end jewelry. They can be cut into symmetrical shapes or left in a more “raw” natural state. I find the shapes available often are determined by marketplace trends. 

6. Wooden Beads: They are often lightweight and made from different types of wood, often used in earthy, natural-themed jewelry and crafts. They can be painted, stained, or left natural. High quality wood beads are definitely a specialty item and might be available online instead of in your local craft store.

7. Pearls: Natural and organic beads produced by mollusks. They come in various forms, including natural, cultured, freshwater, and saltwater pearls, and are highly prized for their luster and elegance. The most affordable pearls on the market are freshwater farmed in “odd” shapes. The more perfectly spherical the peal bead the higher the price. 

8. Metal Beads: These beads are made from various metals like gold, silver, brass, and copper. They add a metallic shine to jewelry and come in many shapes and sizes, including spacers, rounds, and tubes. There are some metal beads that are plated versus some metal beads that are entirely solid metal.

9. Lampwork Beads: No two beads are the same as they are handcrafted glass beads created by melting glass with a torch. Lampwork beads, often feature very intricate designs and vibrant colors. 

10. Plastic Beads: The most affordable and lightweight beads made from plastic. They are available in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and colors, making them popular for children’s crafts and some types of costume jewelry. These beads are also excellent if you are looking to practice some jewelry making techniques.

Each type of bead has its own unique qualities, making them suitable for different styles and applications in beadwork and jewelry making.   As a jewelry designer there are no rules, its up to you to mix and match and use a variety of beads to make your own unique jewelry style. The only limitation is your imagination!

Feel free to try these beads and let the world discover your uniqueness.