There are many types of beads and they all come in a large variety of shapes, sizes and colours.
They can be made from a variety of materials, including wood, semi-precious gemstones, plastics, metals and ceramics.
Here's a description of the most popular kinds of beads and the characteristics of each one.
Dichroic Beads:Are high end art beads that come in a numerous variety of colours and shapes.
The beads are produced when multiple layers of metal oxides are applied to the surface of regular glass and then formed into beads.
The colour you see in the bead depends on what metal oxides were used and how much was used.
These beads are most impressive because due to the metal oxides, the colour seems to change depending on the angle it is viewed at.
Fire-polished Beads:Are made in the Czech Republic and are known for their high quality.
They are faceted by a machine before being drawn through high temperature ovens.
After they are removed from the oven and once the beads have cooled, their surface is very shiny.
They come in a large variety of colours, shapes and sizes.
Fusible Beads:Are small, plastic and colourful beads that are placed on a special reusable pegboard to form a picture.
They are then melted together using an iron.
The beads come in a variety of colours while the pegboards come in a variety of shapes.
They are very popular with children.
Lampwork Beads:Are handmade through a process of layering and adding different colours of glass to create a three dimensional bead.
Since they are handmade, each bead is unique in colour, shape and size.
Beads that have pictures on them are also called lampwork beads, even if they weren't handmade.
Millefiori or Mosaic Beads:Thin rods of glass are bundled together and since each glass rod can be a different colour, you will see a design or pattern when you look at the ends of the rods.
The bundle of rods are then fused together and sliced like a loaf of bread.
These slices can then be placed on a glass bead while it is still hot.
When the bead is finished it looks three dimensional because you can see the design, often a flower, in it.
Rondelle Beads:Are round, flat and can be made from a variety of materials.
They are usually used as spacers in beadwork.
Since they are highly decorative they tend to give great visual interest to any piece they are added to.
Seed Beads:These are the most common type of bead and are ideal to use in stringing, looming and bead weaving.
They are small, round and come in a variety of colours and sizes.
Since they are mass-produced, they are uniformly shaped and consistent in colour.
Swarovski Crystal Beads:These crystals are machine cut to give precise angles and are often multi-faceted.
They are well known for their sparkle and clarity, making them highly prized by many jewellers.
They can have a high lead content, although it is now common to find them lead-free.
They can be made from a variety of materials, including wood, semi-precious gemstones, plastics, metals and ceramics.
Here's a description of the most popular kinds of beads and the characteristics of each one.
Dichroic Beads:Are high end art beads that come in a numerous variety of colours and shapes.
The beads are produced when multiple layers of metal oxides are applied to the surface of regular glass and then formed into beads.
The colour you see in the bead depends on what metal oxides were used and how much was used.
These beads are most impressive because due to the metal oxides, the colour seems to change depending on the angle it is viewed at.
Fire-polished Beads:Are made in the Czech Republic and are known for their high quality.
They are faceted by a machine before being drawn through high temperature ovens.
After they are removed from the oven and once the beads have cooled, their surface is very shiny.
They come in a large variety of colours, shapes and sizes.
Fusible Beads:Are small, plastic and colourful beads that are placed on a special reusable pegboard to form a picture.
They are then melted together using an iron.
The beads come in a variety of colours while the pegboards come in a variety of shapes.
They are very popular with children.
Lampwork Beads:Are handmade through a process of layering and adding different colours of glass to create a three dimensional bead.
Since they are handmade, each bead is unique in colour, shape and size.
Beads that have pictures on them are also called lampwork beads, even if they weren't handmade.
Millefiori or Mosaic Beads:Thin rods of glass are bundled together and since each glass rod can be a different colour, you will see a design or pattern when you look at the ends of the rods.
The bundle of rods are then fused together and sliced like a loaf of bread.
These slices can then be placed on a glass bead while it is still hot.
When the bead is finished it looks three dimensional because you can see the design, often a flower, in it.
Rondelle Beads:Are round, flat and can be made from a variety of materials.
They are usually used as spacers in beadwork.
Since they are highly decorative they tend to give great visual interest to any piece they are added to.
Seed Beads:These are the most common type of bead and are ideal to use in stringing, looming and bead weaving.
They are small, round and come in a variety of colours and sizes.
Since they are mass-produced, they are uniformly shaped and consistent in colour.
Swarovski Crystal Beads:These crystals are machine cut to give precise angles and are often multi-faceted.
They are well known for their sparkle and clarity, making them highly prized by many jewellers.
They can have a high lead content, although it is now common to find them lead-free.