Sizing Spacer Beads for Peyote Stitch

Peyote stitch is one of the most beloved and versatile bead weaving techniques, valued for its fluid texture and geometric regularity. Whether worked in flat, circular, or tubular form, its interlocking pattern of beads produces a fabric-like quality that lends itself to intricate patterns and structural integrity. Within this context, the use of spacer beads …

Practical Guide to Bead Board Measurements

A bead board is an indispensable tool for jewelry makers, particularly those who work with strung designs like necklaces, bracelets, and multi-strand arrangements. It provides a dedicated surface not only for laying out beads but also for measuring and organizing components prior to assembly. One of its most critical functions is to help the designer …

How to Estimate Bead Size from Photos

Estimating bead size from photographs is a useful and often necessary skill for jewelry designers, buyers, collectors, and artisans who frequently shop for beads online or assess vintage pieces from catalogs and images. Without the ability to hold the beads in hand, visual clues within a photograph become essential for deducing accurate dimensions. Because beads …

Sizing Pressed Glass Beads Accurately

Pressed glass beads are among the most popular and versatile components in jewelry making, known for their rich color range, intricate shapes, and high durability. Unlike hand-drawn or wound glass beads, pressed glass beads are formed using precision molds that shape molten glass into consistent forms. Despite their manufactured origin, accurately sizing pressed glass beads …

The Importance of Calibration Beads

In the world of bead manufacturing, scientific instrumentation, and precision beadwork, calibration beads serve a critical yet often underappreciated role. These specialized beads are meticulously manufactured to specific dimensions and tolerances, and their primary purpose is to serve as reference standards for measurement, equipment calibration, and quality control processes. While they may appear identical to …

Bead Size Recommendations for Children’s Jewelry

Creating jewelry for children requires careful consideration not only of aesthetics and durability but also of safety, comfort, and usability. One of the most crucial decisions in the design process is selecting appropriate bead sizes, as this directly affects how the finished jewelry feels, functions, and holds up to daily wear. Unlike adult jewelry, where …

Using 3D Scanners for Bead Measurement

As the demand for precision and customization in beadwork continues to grow, innovative technologies are being adopted to meet the needs of artisans, manufacturers, and researchers alike. One such advancement is the use of 3D scanners for bead measurement. Traditionally, bead sizes have been gauged using manual tools such as calipers, micrometers, or bead boards. …

Common Size Deviations in Natural Stone Beads

Natural stone beads are a popular choice for jewelry makers and artisans due to their inherent beauty, unique patterns, and wide range of colors. Stones like jasper, agate, turquoise, quartz, and lapis lazuli offer organic appeal and a sense of individuality to each piece of jewelry. However, with these natural materials come certain challenges—one of …

Bead Size Coding in Manufacturing

Bead size coding in manufacturing plays a vital role in the standardization, identification, and quality control of beads produced at an industrial scale. As the global demand for beads spans across jewelry making, textiles, accessories, and even industrial applications, manufacturers rely on a series of numeric and alphanumeric codes to ensure consistency in product lines, …

Measuring Beads for Bead Embroidery

Bead embroidery is an intricate and highly tactile art form that combines traditional embroidery techniques with the texture, color, and dimension of beads. The success of any bead embroidery project depends not only on aesthetic design and needlework skill but also on careful attention to the size and shape of the beads used. Unlike bead …