How to Choose the Right Beads for Your Jewelry
Starting out with jewelry making and not sure which beads to choose? You're not alone. The range is enormous and it can be overwhelming to determine which beads are best for your project. In this article we explain what types of beads there are, what they're used for and how to make the right choice for your jewelry.
What Types of Beads Are There?
There are dozens of types of beads, but for beginners there are a few that are most commonly used. Here are the main types and what you need to know about them.
Acrylic Beads
Acrylic beads are made of plastic and are available in virtually every color, shape and size. They are lightweight, affordable and easy to work with. For beginners, large acrylic beads are ideal because they are easy to string and quickly give a beautiful result.
Acrylic beads are perfect for phone cords, bracelets and casual necklaces. They give your jewelry a playful, modern look.
Rice Pearl Beads
Rice pearl beads are small, elongated pearls in the shape of a grain of rice. They are available in white, cream and light pink. Rice pearl beads give an elegant, romantic feel to your jewelry and are perfect for delicate necklaces.
They are slightly more difficult to string than large acrylic beads due to their small size, but with a little practice it works perfectly. Ideal for a pearl necklace with heart charm.
Faceted Beads
Faceted beads are small round or multi-sided beads with cut facets that beautifully reflect light. They are available in many colors and give your jewelry a subtle sparkle. Faceted beads are ideal for delicate necklaces and bracelets where you want to add a subtle shine.
Spacer Beads
Spacer beads are small beads that you place between other beads as a separator. They are usually gold or silver colored and give your jewelry a polished, professional finish. Our pearl necklace kit includes gold spacer beads that give the piece a luxurious look.
Glass Beads
Glass beads are heavier than acrylic beads but give a beautiful shine and depth to your jewelry. They are available in many colors and are suitable for necklaces and bracelets where you want to make a slightly heavier piece of jewelry.
What Should You Look for When Choosing Beads?
When choosing beads there are a few things to look out for to make sure your beads work well for your project.
The Bead Hole
The hole of the bead determines which wire or chain you can use. Always make sure the hole is large enough for the material you want to use. Holes that are too small can prevent your beads from fitting on the wire. Holes that are too large will cause the beads to hang unevenly.
The Weight of the Bead
Heavy beads can make a necklace or bracelet uncomfortable to wear. Acrylic beads are lightweight and comfortable for daily use. Glass or stone beads are heavier and add more weight to your jewelry.
The Size of the Bead
Larger beads are easier to string and quickly give a beautiful result. Smaller beads require more patience but give a more delicate end result. As a beginner we recommend starting with beads of at least 6mm.
The Material of the Bead
Choose beads that suit the intended use of your jewelry. Are you going to wear the jewelry daily? Then choose durable materials like acrylic or glass beads. Do you want a more elegant piece for special occasions? Then rice pearl beads or faceted beads are a good choice.
Which Beads Work Best for Which Jewelry?
Here is a handy overview of which beads work best for which type of jewelry.
Necklace
For an elegant necklace, rice pearl beads or faceted beads are most suitable. They give a delicate, feminine look. Combine them with a gold or silver chain and a beautiful charm for a complete look.
Phone Cord
For a phone cord, large acrylic beads are the best choice. They are lightweight, available in many colors and give your phone cord a playful, trendy look. They are also large enough to easily thread onto a chain.
Bracelet
For a bracelet you can use virtually any type of bead. Larger beads give a statement bracelet, smaller beads give a delicate, stacked look. Combine different types of beads for a unique result.
Tips for Combining Beads
Combine different sizes. A mix of large and small beads gives your jewelry more depth and character. Use large beads as a focal point and small beads as accents.
Play with colors. Monochrome jewelry is stylish but a subtle color accent can give your jewelry that little bit extra. Combine pearls with gold spacer beads for a luxurious look.
Consider the season. Pastel colors work well in spring and summer, while deeper tones like burgundy and dark green are perfect for autumn and winter.
Choose beads that match your style. Do you prefer a minimalist style? Then choose small, neutral beads. Are you more into statement looks? Then go for large, eye-catching acrylic beads in a bold color.
Which Beads Are in Our Kits?
At CraftYourJewelry we carefully select our beads for quality and appearance. Our pearl necklace kit contains rice pearl beads combined with gold spacer beads for an elegant, romantic necklace. Our phone cord kit contains large acrylic beads in multiple colors for a playful, trendy accessory.
All materials are carefully put together so you can get started right away without having to search for the right beads yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions About Choosing Beads
Which beads are easiest for beginners?
Large acrylic beads are the easiest for beginners. They are large enough to string easily, lightweight and available in many colors.
Can I combine different types of beads in one piece of jewelry?
Yes, absolutely. Combine rice pearl beads with gold spacer beads for an elegant look, or mix different colors of acrylic beads for a playful result.
How do I know if the bead hole is large enough?
Always check the specifications of the bead and the wire or chain you want to use. As a beginner it's easiest to use a complete kit where all materials are already matched together.
Are expensive beads better than cheap ones?
Not necessarily. The quality of a bead depends on the material and finish, not the price. Good acrylic beads can be just as beautiful as more expensive glass or stone beads.
Conclusion
Choosing the right beads for your jewelry doesn't have to be difficult. Pay attention to the hole, weight, size and material of the bead and choose a type that suits the jewelry you want to make. Start with large acrylic beads or rice pearl beads if you're making jewelry for the first time and build from there.
Want to get started right away with a complete kit where all the beads have already been selected for you?
