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| Acrylic Beads - Made through a process called suspension polymerization, which produces a material with a low enough molecular weight to allow a typical melt processing, such as casting, molding, extrusion or vacuum and pressure forming. Often transparent and easily dyed, they come in a variety of shapes. Although they often resemble glass or crystal, they are half the weight because they are plastic, making acrylic beads a less costly option. Great to mix with Glass Beads to make your designs less heavy to wear. Shop for Acrylic Beads... |
Antique Copper - Antique Copper is base metal with copper plating. The crevices of the bead, charm or finding are darkened to give it an antique look.
Antique Gold - Antique Gold is base metal with gold plating. The crevices of the bead, charm or finding are darkened to give it an antique look.
Aurora Borealis (AB) - An AB coating, usually on only one side of a bead gives off a rainbow-like array of colors. The colors are most apparent when a clear crystal is AB. AB is a very common style of color in crystals, seed beads and czech glass.
| Base Metal - Base metals, as opposed to gold and silver, are non-precious metals including tin, zinc, nickel, iron, lead, aluminum, etc. Copper is also included as a base metal. A base metal is less expensive than gold and silver and can discolor if around chemicals such as hair spray, perfume, alcohol, etc. Shop for Base Metal Beads... |
| Bead Caps - Used to cover beads or hold them in place on either side giving them a decorative look. Shop for Bead Caps... |
| Bead Cones - A cone is use in multi-strand jewelry to help hide the ends of all the strands. Cones have a wide mouth and a smaller hole on the other end. Shop for Bead Cones... |
| Bead Crimp Tool - Closes and secures crimp beads. The lower position crimps the beads while the upper position grooves round off edges. A micro crimp tool is similarly used but is recommended for smaller crimp beads of about 1 x 1mm. Shop for Crimper Tools... |
| Bead Frames - Essentially, they "frame" the bead to compliment or accentuate it. Typically, bead frames have 2 holes on either side with the wire or string going through one end of the frame, then through the bead in the center and through the other end of the frame. Usually made from sterling silver. Shop for Bead Frames... |
| Bead Tips - Also known as clam shell, bead tips are used to conceal knots and attach clasps or jump rings. String or wire is inserted in the hole located at the bend between the two cups. The cups are then clamped together over a knot to hide it and the hook on the end can be clamped onto a finding like a clasp, toggle or jump ring that finishes off a bracelet or necklace. Shop for Bead Tips... |
| Bicone - A shape combining two cones with their bases together. Bicones are often found in Swarovski crystal and czech glass. Shop for Bicone Beads... |
Biwa Pearls - Found in Lake Biwa of Japan, near Kyoto. Pearls that are cultured or cultivated in a freshwater mussel. Biwa pearls are smoother and of a higher quality than other freshwater pearls.
Blister Pearls - A cultured pearl that has grown onto the inside surface of a mollusc's shell after being placed by a pearl technician. It is dome-shaped on one side and flattened on the other.
Briolette - Oval or teardrop shaped bead/pendant that is surrounded by triangular facets.
Cat's Eye Beads - Also known as fiber optic beads, cat's eye beads are made by fusing quartz fibers together in the shape of a round bead. They are made of the same material used in fiber optic cable. These man-made beads change hue as they capture light at various angles with a visible line in the center resembling a cat's eye.
Grade A is not to be confused with Economy Grade, which are less expensive and have less light refraction, color and shine.
| Ceramic Beads - A mixture of clay and other chemicals that are fired at very high temperatures. Clay beads date back to as early as 1000 BC. Some are hand painted whereas some have colored decals glazed onto the surface. Ceramic beads are often glazed giving it a fine shine. There are different qualities of clay used leading to varying degrees of hardness and color. Most ceramic beads come from Peru, Greece and India. Shop for Ceramic Beads... |
Chain Nose Pliers - Chain nose pliers are for closing bead tips and crimping in tight places. Also excellent for picking up objects. They have tapered tips that are flat on the inside, smooth jaws and slightly rounded edges for shaping and bending. Shop for Chain Nose Pliers...
Chandelier Earring Findings - Used to make your own dangle earrings with ease, having multiple holes for multiple dangles. Headpins are used to attach your materials, the most common of which are Swarovski crystal beads and freshwater pearls.
| Charms - Decorative pendant-like items of jewelry, usually made of silver or gold. Can be worn on a bracelet or as a necklace pendant. Traditionally associated with luck, charms nowadays symbolize personal aspects of ones own life. Shop for Jewelry Charms... |
| Charm Bracelets - Piece of jewelry worn around the wrist usually made of silver. Charms or pendants are added to them to customize them and give them a personal touch. Shop for Charm Bracelets... |
Cinnabar - Carved from lacquer derived from tree sap found in China and dyed red to resemble the natural mineral color.
| Clasps - Attaches the two ends of a piece of jewelry. Clasps and toggles are usually made from either silver or gold and come in a variety of shapes and forms. Shop for Clasps... |
Cloisonné - (Pronounced Cloiso-NAY) Cloisonné beading is an ancient art-form in China, where it is known as “Jing Tai Lan”. All made by hand, metal wires are applied to a metal base, and then enamel is dropped into the spaces. The piece is then fired, which melts the enamel into the shapes edged by the wires. After that, it is polished smooth to enhance the patterns and bright colors. Cloisonné is also used in making vases, bowls and the like.
| Crimp Beads - Also known as "Crimping Beads" are used to secure two or more pieces of wire. Typically, it is used at the end of a necklace. Wire is looped through a clasp and then back through the crimp bead. If using a Designer Bead Crimper, you press the crimp bead with the inner groove of the Crimper and fold it with the outer groove to hold the two pieces of wire together. If using the Magical Crimp Forming Tool, a crimp bead is turned into a 2mm round. It is flattened by the tool and then the tool twists around the crimp bead to make it form a round. The flattening action of either tool is what secures the crimp bead to the strands of wire. Shop for Crimp Beads... |
| Czech Glass Beads - Prior to 1918, before the country was named Czechoslovakia, these beads were known as Bohemian glass. These colorful glass beads from the Czech Republic are made from a thick rod that is heated to extremely hot temperatures and is used to stamp or press the glass. This increased the pace of production compared to the earliest form of making Czech glass, which involved wrapping molten glass around a form, then allowing it to cool. They are softer in appearance than Swarovski crystal beads and are a bit more affordable. Shop for Czech Glass Beads... |
| (Seed Bead) Delicas - Made exclusively by Miyuki of Japan, Delicas are seed beads that are perfectly cylindrical with larger holes than regular seed beads. Miyuki Delicas are of a higher quality than other seed beads thus are a bit more expensive. Delicas come in three sizes: 11/0 (the smallest), 10/0, and 8/0. Shop for Delicas... |
Dichroic Glass - Have a very thin metal film fused to the bottom of the glass to give it a metallic look that changes colors slightly at different angles.
Embossing - Creates dimension in a product by having a design stamped into the material or hammered into it.
Enamel - A powdered glass that is melted at exteremely high temperatures and is fused to metal, glass or ceramic after cooling.
| Eye Pins - Lengths of wire with a round loop at one end. They are used to make dangles, earrings and bead links. Shop for Eye Pins... |
Facet - A flat face on a three-dimensional geometric shape. Facets are used to form a bead, crystal or diamond to improve their apperance. The aim of faceting is to maximize the visible internal reflections of the stone, crystal, etc.
| Filigree - Also known as telkari, filigree is a jewelry work that uses twisted metal threads or wires that are soldered to the surface of beads, jewelry findings, pendants, etc. Shop for Filigree Findings... |
| Finding - Findings are the components that structure jewelry and are usually used to bind the jewelry itself. Common findings include bails, head pins, clasps, spacers, etc. Shop for Findings... |
Fire Polish - Fire polish, a term used for Czech glass, involves the refiring of beads to smooth them and melt away imperfections.
| French Wires - Curved wires that are flat at the end of the hook part. Inserted in the pierced ear and has a loop on the end to add head pins, eye pins, or other findings used to attach beads. Shop for French Ear Wires... |
| Gemstones - Also known as semi-precious stones, a gemstone is usually a mineral (can be a rock, like lapis lazuli, or some other organic material such as amber) and is used in jewelry making after being cut and polished. A large factor involved in the pricing of gemstones is rarity. Common gemstones include turquoise, onyx, amethyst, rose quartz and hematite. Shop for Gemstone Beads... |
| Gold Filled - Made by using heat and pressure to apply a layer of karat gold to a base of less costly metal. This produces a surface with karat gold. The minimum layer of karat gold must equal at least 1/20 of the total weight of the item in order for it to be called “gold-filled”. Gold-filled is many times thicker than regular gold plating. Shop for Gold Beads... |
| Head Pins - Lengths of wire with a round pinhead on one end. They are used to make dangles, earrings and bead links. Shop for Head Pins... |
Heat Transfer - Applied face down onto any surface and ironed down.
Hill Tribe Silver - Created by the Karen tribe in Northern Thailand, the Hill Tribe Silver line of jewelry components are handcrafted and 95 to 99% pure silver. Unlike sterling silver, which has a 92.5% silver content, Hill Tribe Silver is soft and easy to shape.
| Jump Rings - Small ring-like jewelry findings used to link jewelry elements such as a charm to a chain. Open jump rings have a tiny slit used to hook elements together then pressed or soldered shut. Closed jump rings are already soldered shut. Jump rings primarily come in silver and gold. Shop for Jump Rings... |
| Lobster Clasp - One of the more popular clasps resembling a lobster claw. The small lever that pokes out is pushed/pulled to open the mouth of the clasp and released to catch the ring or loop. Usually sterling silver or gold. Shop for Lobster Clasps... |
Marcasite - Faceted pyrite set most commonly in sterling silver beads, pendants and findings. Usually have decorative etchings surrounding the crystals. Made in Thailand.
Matte - Type of finish having a dull or lusterless surface. Same as "frosted."
| Memory Wire - Base metal that will retain its shape after being shaped or bent. Comes in bracelet, necklace and ring sizes. Easy to work with and quite inexpensive. Shop for Memory Wire... |
Murano Glass - Murano glass originates from the island of Murano, off the coast of Venice, Italy. The glass is typically 70% sand and 30% other substances including silica, which turns to liquid at a very high temperature. The artist shapes the glass just before it cools back to solid form. Some Murano glass comes from China, however, is a lesser quality. True Murano glass only comes from Murano, Italy. Shop for Murano Pendants...
Nipper Tool - Designed for cutting wire, the nipper tool has angled blades that leave a clean, smooth edge. For use with soft wire, as opposed to memory wire. Shop for Nipper Tools...
| Pendant Bails - A bail is what connects the pendant to the chain. The bail is pinched together to link the pendant, and is then strung through the chain where the hole is. Bails are the best way to style and customize your pendants. Shop for Pendant Bails... |
| Pewter - A metal alloy (mixture of two or more elements, at least one of which is metal, with the final product containing metal properties) consisting of mainly tin and some copper. Lesser quality pewter contains lead. Pewter is a shiny metal that looks similar to silver and likewise will oxidize if left untreated for a period of time. Unlike silver, pewter is softer making it slightly more delicate. Shop for Pewter Beads... |
Porcelain Beads - Type of ceramic usually involving clay with a glossy, translucent shine to it. Originating in China having evolved from pottery, these beads are molded, fired, then hand-painted. Some are made with decals and would be considered knockoffs and will be less expensive.
Pressed Glass - Glass made in a metal mold that presses down on the molten glass to form shape and design simultaneously. A common form of Czech glass.
Round Nose Pliers - Have tapered circular jaws and are used to form loops and curves. Use to round ends of memory wire or to loop wire for beading and wire wrapping. The small tips can reach into tight spaces that other pliers cannot reach. Shop for Round Nose Pliers...
| Sea Glass Beads - Manufactured to mimic the smooth, frosted appearance of old pieces of littered glass which have tumbled within the ocean for hundreds of years, craft sea glass is made by cutting pieces of colored glasses into desired shapes and then placing them in a rock tumbler, an acid bath or both until they take on the gorgeous appearance of genuine sea glass. Shop for Sea Glass Beads... |
| Seed Beads - Very tiny donut-like beads made from glass or plastic. Mainly meant for sewing or weaving into patterns. Authentic seed beads come from Japan with top manufactuers such as Miyuki and Matsuno. The most popular size of seed bead is 11/0 ("eleven-aught") referring to how many beads can fit into an inch. The higher the number, the smaller the bead. Usually sold in grams. Shop for Seed Beads... |
| Separators - A jewelry component or finding that is used to offer separation between strands of wire or other stringing material. Shop for Separators... |
| Split Rings - A jewelry finding resembling a keyring and are double looped(or "split"), making them stronger than jump rings. Used to join two or more pieces of chain or other findings. Shop for Split Rings... |
| Spring Ring Clasp - Used to connect the ends of a bracelet or necklace. Has a lever on the side to slide the clasp open. Releasing springs bar back into place for a secure hold. Top loop can be open or closed. Shop for Spring Rings... |
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Swarovski (Austrian) Crystal - Daniel Swarovski established the company in 1895, shortly after his invention of an automatic cutting machine. These precision-cut lead crystals are made as a luxury good in the form of beads, pendants, miniatures, chandeliers and the like. Swarovski crystal contains approximately 32% lead to maximize light refraction. Special coatings are sometimes given to the crystals to allow light to refract in a rainbow spectum, the most popular of which is Aurora Borealis, or "AB". Shop for Swarovski Crystal Beads...
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Toggles - Similar to a clasp, a toggle is used to hook a bracelet or necklace together. A toggle involves a pin or crosspiece of sorts and a loop. The crosspiece is inserted into the loop to fasten the piece of jewelry. Toggles come in a variety of metals including sterling silver, pewter and gold. And take on various styles such as heart, fancy and round toggles.
Vermeil - (Pronounced ver-MAY) Also known as silver gilt, vermeil is sterling silver coated with at least 10-karat gold.(24-karat is pure gold) Fused onto the silver through a process called electrolyis, which involves using an electric current to attatch the gold.
Wire Gauge - The thickness in diameter of wire. Thickness decreases as the gauge number increases. The American Wire Gauge(AWG) system scale is as follows:
In diameter:
14 gauge: 1.628mm (0.0641 in.)
16 gauge: 1.291mm (0.0508 in.)
18 gauge: 1.023mm (0.0403 in.)
20 gauge: 0.812mm (0.032 in.)
22 gauge: 0.643mm (0.0253 in.)
24 gauge: 0.510mm (0.0201 in.)
26 gauge: 0.404mm (0.0159 in.)
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