How Many Beads Do You Need?

Approximate Number of Beads in a 16 Inch Strand
 2MM  3MM  4MM  5MM  6MM  8MM  10MM  12MM  14MM
 203  135  102  81  68  51  41  34  29

All of these number are approximate. Of course, when buying beads you may need to purchase more in order to get good matches.

Type/Length 2MM 3MM 4MM 5MM 6MM 8MM 10MM 12MM 14MM
Bracelet  7″  89  59  44  36  30  22  18  15  13
Choker  16″  203  135  102  81  68  51  41  34  29
Princess  18″  229  152  114  91  76  57  46  38  33
Matinee  20″  254  169  127  102  85  64  51  42  36
 21″  267  178  133  107  89  67  53  44  38
 22″  279  186  140  112  93  70  56  47  40
 23″  292  195  146  117  97  73  58  49  42
 24″  305  203  152  122  102  76  61  51  44
Opera  28″  356  237  178  142  119  89  71  59  51
 29″  368  246  184  147  123  92  74  61  53
 30″  381  254  191  152  127  95  76  64  54
 31″  394  262  197  157  131  98  79  66  56
 32″  406  271  203  163  135  102  81  68  58
Rope  40″  508  339  254  203  169  127  102  85  73
 41″  521  347  260  208  174  130  104  87  74
 42″  533  356  267  213  178  133  107  89  76
 43″  546  364  273  218  182  137  109  91  78
 45″  572  381  286  229  191  143  114  95  82
Lariat  48″+  610  406  305  244  203  152  122  102  87

Glossary of Terms

In the past we have taken many things for granted. For instance, what is a hank? What is a bead? So for all of the people who are just getting started in the whole big, beautiful, colorful world of beading, I dedicate this section to you.

I hope that this helps make a difference.

Seed Beads Small glass beads, used for beadwork, usually 2 mm. or less In diameter. They are classified by size and style.
Hank A bunch of seed beads or bugles consisting of 10 to 14 strands (usually 12), and measuring approximately 12 to 14 in. per strand.
Bugle A tubular shaped bead ranging in length from 2-35 mm. (for measurements, see Bugles, pages 21,23).
Seed Bead Sizes Sizes are notated by X/0, X being the variable number. The higher the number the smaller the bead. The following are approximations: One-Inch Lengths of Seed & Pony Beads by Size 6/0’s (pony) contain 11 beads per inch.

  • 9/0’s contain 15 beads per inch.
  • 10/0’s contain I7 beads per inch.
  • 11/0’s contain 19 beads per inch.
  • 12/O’s contain 2l beads per inch.
  • 13/0’s contain 23 beads per inch.
  • 14/0’s contain 25 beads per inch.

Measurements

g. gr., gram, 28 grams to an ounce.
gr. gross, 12 dozen, 144 pieces.
oz. ounce, 28.3 grams.
mass 100 dozen, 1200 pieces.
tubes Beads in our tubes weigh 20-28 grams.

Classification of Bead Styles

Ceylon A pearl-like finish.
Charlotte Also known as one cuts. Occasional facets, usually a 13/0 bead, used in many higher quality Indian bead work pieces. This type of bead is in very high demand, and colors only come in sporadically.
Crystal Glass made with lead to provide a high refractive quality.
Fire Polish Facetted glass (usually round), that have been heat treated to give very clean, glossy surfaces. F.P. sometimes has an A.B. finish on half the piece.
Iridescent, A.B. (Aurora Borealis) A rainbow effect, usually transparent.
Iris Usually a dark color (almost Black) with tinting of the color mentioned. It appears to look like a drop of oil spilled in water. e.g.- Blue iris is Black with Blue rainbow effect, but solid in color.
Lined Clear on the outside, color on the inside.
Luster A rich, shiny, semi-transparent effect, very high gloss.
Opalescent An opal-like effect in translucent materials, or waxy looking finish.
Opaque Solid in color, allows no light to pass through.
Rocaille Silver lined, usually size 11/0 or 10/0, round bead with square hole.
Satin Glass Shimmering translucent glass that appears to consist of fibers of different tones of the same color.
Scarabee Rich, opaque Iris (rainbow) coating, usually over a whole jet glass bead.
S/L Silver lined, a mirrored effect coming out from the center of the bead, metallic looking.
Striated Swirls and streaks of other tones or colors within the body of the bead.
Transparent Allows light to pass through, clear or colored.
2X Two cut, cut at the top and bottom, body of bead round, like very small bugle (approximately 2mm or less).
3X Three cut, barrel facetted all around the sides to create a very shiny and luster look.
White Heart A bead made of two layers, the inside of which is White.
XL Extra long bugles, 20 to 35 mm.