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Welcome back to another Blog post!
So for the next few weeks, I thought I would look into the vast world of beads and their coatings which will be split into multiple blogs for easy reference for beginners and professionals alike!
Today we are focusing mainly on the two most popular and well known seed bead brands - Miyuki Seed beads and Toho seed beads!
The coating of the beads can give another dimension to your Bracelets, necklaces and other crafting items as each have their own Shape, Colour and tones while other finishes give additional light and reflective properties and even in some cases can change the colours completely. The coatings can be also br minute, there predominately as protection for the bead, rather then enhancing or changing the bead's surface.
Each will be split into different categories to ensure we get the most of of each and quick reference if you want to print them off or easily search again!
Aurora Borealis - (Miyuki)
Miyuki Bugle Seed Beads Cobalt Lined Sapphire AB - 25g
One of the most popular beads available for crafters, Aurora Borealis, also referred to as AB coating, the bead has a highly glossed prismatic metallic coating giving the bead a beautiful and bright reflective shine to the bead - as if it has been cut from pure glass itself. They are prized for their shine, as the colouring of the bead can become a spectrum of different colours in the light - from just a brighter tone of the bead colour to a rainbow shine giving a look of polished diamond. Each colour of the bead can change the look of the reflection (as described earlier) with some also giving a sheen of blues, greens, purples and golds as well as the rainbow shine.
AB beads are also referred to (depending on the seller or even what part of the world you maybe purchasing them from) as Iridescent, Iris or Rainbow.
Here is the full range of Miyuki AB beads avaliable at Beads Jar!
Alabaster
Miyuki Delicas S/L Dyed Light Pink Alabaster Size 10/0
Alabaster beads are a high end professional bead, due to their regaled appearance and coating. The bead has a beautiful silky pearl sheen to the bead giving a milky and soft colour to the beads. Usually (in the case of BeadsJar) the beads are of a lighter colour, to ensure that the pearly coating gives the best shine and best appearance. Alabaster is an opalescent glass coating which also means that the coating won't remove through wear. It is a uncommon finish for most beads however, as most companies look toward standard coatings such as Baroque or Ceylon, as the price point is significantly lower, but the Alabaster is still very much worth it's price as it's coating will last years longer and keeps it's strong colour and tone even with day to day wear.
Full range of Miyuki Alabaster beads can be found here
Baroque - (Miyuki)
Miyuki Seed Beads Baroque Pearl Silver - Size 6/0 6.8g
Baroque beads are inspired by the Vintage era, with their softer colouring and non-standard threading hole shapes. Similiar to an Alabaster bead, the baroque has a opalescent coating on it's surface to give the bead a pale, light coloured shimmer to the bead for a pearl inspired look. The colours of the bead are more of a traditional colours you may have seen around the Victorian era, the softer off-white colours of ivorys and creams and the lighter silver colours to give a demure and elegant finish. Compared to other bead types, Baroque beads have more of understated style and smoothness, perfect for your Vintage inspired soutaches, necklaces and other creative pieces. These beads look especially stunning when match with antique silver findings or cameo pendants as the colours and tones compliment each others styles.
Beads Jar have a select selection of these beads avaliable which can be found here
Ceylon (Miyuki and TOHO)
Ceylon beads have a milky pearlised finish with, in some cases, have been coloured or dyed for visual appearances. They are an alternative to freshwater or cultured pearl beads as their look, appearance and finish give the impression of a pearls sheen, but with a more economical and perfect for the environmentally conscious beaders. Some Ceylon beads also have additional colouring inside the threading hole for a more vibrant and striking colour compared to the milky, satin finish on top. Ceylon beads are renowned for their high quality finish and shape - as the beads are perfectly symmetrical in colour and size - as well as being abrasion and nick-resistant to keep the high sheen and shine from being removed from the bead, even after an extended period of time wearing.
We have a full range of Ceylon beads available in both Miyuki and TOHO. Miyuki also have a number of the beads available in wholesale quantites if you'd like to purchase a large quantity of beads.
To see the full range of Miyuki click here (including the Wholesale range)
And for the TOHO range click here
Colour Lined (Miyuki and TOHO)
(1) Miyuki Colour Lined Red 4mm Square Seed Beads 20g Tube || (2) Toho 6/0 Inside Colour Crystal/Metallic Blue Lined 11.5g
Colour lined beads are transparent beads with the central threading hole coloured with a bright vivid tone. Almost like a fishbowl effect, the bead has a surronding of clear glass or plastic with a core of colour for an interesting and unique take to beads. The core of colour also gives an interesting shape and texture to the bead, making the bead seem more dimensional as the colour is suspended between the clear plastic, giving a three dimension feel compared to other beads of flat colours, giving more of a block colouring then a shape. The beads lining can also been metallic in finish such as bronze, gold or silver for those looking for a chic and contemporary design for their beaded creations.
Our complete range of Miyuki coloured lined beads are found here
For our TOHO range you can also find them here
Duracoat (Miyuki Exclusive)
Miyuki Beads Duracoat Galvanized Dark Mint Green 7.2g
A Miyuki exclusive coating, Duracoat differs slightly from other bead coatings as it isn't used as an additional colour or shine, but rather as a coating to keep the bead protected. Duracoats pride themselves on their coating as it's varnish/lacquer properties allow it to protect the bead from UV lighting as well as preventing the colour or design of the bead from fading over usage. The beads surface is also scratch and abrasion resistant to help keep the bead stunning and clean. The only thing the buyer needs to be aware of is that Duracoat's have a range of tone variations as the coating can mute the hue slightly - causing bright reds , blue etc to become slightly milky - which does create some interesting and unique beads.
We have a full range of Miyuki Duracoats available here at Beads Jar so take a look here and find some that will match your creations perfectly!
Frosted (Miyuki and TOHO)
(1) Miyuki Delica 11/0 Seed Bead Silver Plated Frosted 7.2g || (2) Toho Round 11 Seed Beads Transparent Frosted Teal 8.2g
Created from glass beads, a matt Aurora Borealis coating is covered on the transparent to give the frosted, chilled effect to the bead giving a soft, muted colour as if the bead itselt was encased into a block of ice. Semi frosted are extremely similar except that the matt coating isn't as strong allowing a stronger more vibrant colour to show through the bead instead. Another effect given to the frosted beads are Rainbow Frosted- a rainbow variation of coating is applied giving a shimmering band of colours across the surface of the bead. Frosted beads are perfect for on loom projects and bead weaving as they add extra texture and look to your finished pieces.
The frosted beads and charms come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colours from traditional spherical beads with multiple bands of colour to leaf shapes with a cool colour throughout. The frosted beads also come in a variety of patterns as well as the frosted effect can be lighter in places for a varing colour across the coating for the creation of patterned hearts, flowers and many others. Many of the charms and other pendants have frosted designs to them as well, such as the frosted leaves, which give an Autumny style feel to the pieces, perfect for a wintery inspired design. (For other winter or autumn designs see our blog post on Autumn for some ideas)
Galvanised (Miyuki and TOHO)
(1) Miyuki Delica Beads Size 11 Galvanized Champagne 7.2g || (2) Toho Treasure Seed Beads 11/0 Galvanized Blue Gold 7.8g
Galvanised beads are high gloss finish adhered to the bead in a variety of metallic colours and tones. Giving the appearance of shaped metal, the beads have a baked-on surface which is usually fairly strong and scratch resistant. The novice beader may need to be aware that you may need to treat the beads with spray fixative if your worried about the galvanised coating from chipping, to ensure a high quality bead. Galvanised bronze, hematite and other metals are a little stronger then the standard coatings so they maybe better for higher stressed areas or areas in more sunlight. These are fantastic to match with other metal findings for that smooth and modern bracelet or necklace design or matching with other seed beads for a complimentary material design.
Each companies galvanised beads are usually adhered with additional coatings to ensure that the coating will last a considerable amount of time - Miyuki has their Duracoat finishes which is highly strengthened and scratch resistant to prevent scratches, chips or deformities happening to the bead while TOHOs range is coated in Permafinish, a similar coating to the Duracoat, but one TOHO prides themselves on for it's surface protection, UV protection and appealing looking beads.
For Miyuki's range of galvanised beads link is here
For TOHO's range you can find them here
Gilded (TOHO)
Toho Treasure Size 11 Seed Bead Gilded Marble Blue 7.8g
Gilded beads are a slightly different variation of coating for beads, are traditionally painted or coated in a leaf of gold (or sometimes silver and copper) to give an antique and expensive feel to a glass or wooden bead. The gilded effect on the beads are adhered by solvents or heat, where the gold (or other metal) leaf is pressed onto the bead and left to cool - the excess material is then brushes off and removed, allowing the original colour of the bead to peak through the gaps of the guild for this almost weathered and quaint appearance. The gilded effect gives glittering effect to the bead, and extra dimension with textures and complimentary colours to make this a perfect bead for that Victoriana or regal inspired necklace, bracelet or even weave
TOHO produce these fantastic seed beads in various amazing colours and metals, meaning that you will be easily spoilt for choice when choosing through. The full range of their beads can be found here for your viewing!
Metal Lined Beads - Gold, Silver, Copper etc (Miyuki and TOHO)
Toho Round 6 Seed Beads Gold Lined Black Diamond 11.5g || Miyuki Hex Cut Size 8/0 Beads Silver Lined Crystal 12g || Toho 11 Treasure Seed Beads Copper Lined Alabaster 7.8g
Traditionally sculpted from into glass beads - both clear and frosted, metal lines beads have cores of a particular metal through the threading hole which radiates the coloured metal throughout the bead. The transparent surface of the bead allows the full tone of the core to be seen throughout the bead, giving either the warm golds and bronzes or slightly colder silver throughout. The different materials can depend on what direction your project maybe going through - the gold has a subtle elegance to it and the warmest of all the lined colours. Gold is traditionally seen as a symbol of wealth and expense, which would be perfect in the creation of bespoke pieces perhaps for a present, or one-off pieces. The gold can be found in warm colours or the ever popular rose gold colours - adding that pinkier softer, feminine touch to the gold.
Silver is more steely or cold in feel, but when matched with a variety of colours such as blues or reds, can dramatically change the outcome of the piece. Silver would be perfect for the Christmas season that is quickly approaching us - matching it with light blues for a wintry and chilled effect or warmer reds and greens for that real Christmassy feel.
Bronze, although seen as the least "expensive" metal of the grouping, it has become more and more popular of the recent months due to it's earthy colours and feel. Grouped with browns, creams and other earth colours, these beads would match any design or creation perfectly. Becoming more of the "modern" look, bronze is prized amongst women for the added shimmer and shine that comes with it, making it an eye catching and stunning bead for any piece.
The full ranges can be found across the Miyuki and TOHO sections for your look into metallic cores!
Iris - (Miyuki and TOHO)
Miyuki Bugle Seed Beads Metallic Gold Iris 6mm 25 grams || Toho 3/0 Japanese Seed Beads Metallic Iris Purple 19.5g
Iris beads have some similarities to the Aurora Borealis beads (described above) as the surface and coating of the bead gives a coloured shined to the eye. Iris beads however, also referred to as Iridescent beads, have a lustrous coating over them and are coloured specifically to give off that coloured shine. You will typically see Iris beads sold as blue iris, purple iris etc with the reflective colour described and the shine that it will give. This coating is given to both dark coloured and lighter coloured beads and usually the reflective colours are complimentary to each other or match the colour of the bead itself. For example, a Purple glass bead may have a reflective purple or even green iris to give that extra attraction - making the bead have that extra design dimension.
Iris are available in multiple colours with both Miyuki (here) or TOHO (here) so find the ones that fit your tastes best.
Marble (TOHO Exclusive)
Toho 1.8mm Treasure Beads 11/0 Gilded Marble Red 7.8g
Marbled beads are a creation of multiple colours that have been intermixed (but not completely) to give a mottled, bespeckled effect that you find in real marble. The coating on the beads are usually an ombre of a single colour - be it orange, yellows, reds etc - that has additional coloured pigment added to it to create a smooth coherent bean tone and variation. The marbled effect gives a vintage elegance to the bead (similar to the gilded beads) depicting an older style and tone of tapestries and art of the past - perfect for that vintage outfit or even to modernise with brighter findings, threads and other seed beads!
Marbled effect is currently available only with TOHO in select colours so find them here!
Metallic (Miyuki and TOHO)
(1) Miyuki Hex Cut 8/0 Beads Metallic Purple Gold Iris 12g || (2) Toho Size 11 Japanese Seed Beads Metallic Hematite 8.2g
One of the most popular beads we sell here at Beads Jar, the metallic is known for it's high reflective shine giving the bead the illusion of being created from metal. These are usually glass beads, dipped into the metallic coating and highly polished to give it's reflective shine and smooth texture. Metallic comes in a range of natural metal colours like silver, rose gold etc but also the added brighter colours and tones. Metallic beads can be coated a number of times for a varied colour appearance, more monochromatic designs for example, to give the overlay colour change.
- Metallic Matte
Miyuki 15/0 Beads Semi Matt Silver Lined Dark Ruby 8.2g
A variation of the metallic coating, this one has more textured design and slight more metal in apperance - less of a brighter shine and more dulled and natural. The colours of these beads, while slightly darker then the shiny counterpart, are more deep in colour, looking more as the stained metal colour then the other. These matte beads also don't rub into each other which can peel away the coating like other beads, meaning you will have a beautiful piece for years to come!
- Metallic Rainbow
Toho 15/0 Seed Beads Transparent Rainbow Foxglove 8.2g
These beads can come in both matte and glossy, these beads have be coloured with the metallic coating several times different times to give a rainbow styled effect. The finish of the beads can also change the look of the rainbow - the glossy is brighter in colours, and the effect looks like a slight oil spill (in a good way) with the colour arching over the edges, while the matte finish gives a darker but more subtle rainbow. The matte rainbow finish has a better appearance under light, showing the colours off better so will look especially stunning for normal wear day to day!
Picasso (Miyuki and Toho)
Miyuki Tila Seed Beads Picasso Garnet Transparent 7.2g
Named after the artist himself, Picasso beads are unusual mixture of vivid, bold colouring and shines to create a beautiful artistic bead. The surface of the beads have the Picasso stylings to them - a variety of conflicting colours (such a whites, red and blues etc.) intermixed together and the beads are coated to made a swirling and almost moving quality - as if the bead has an extra dimesion of movement to them. Each of the beads are unique in colour and design, with the swirls and patterns not conforming to any shape - giving a more avante garde and special quality to any piece you make as each design and creation will differ from the other.
Picasso beads are starting to spike in popularity as the colours and designs and influences from the art they come from are making a resurgence, and forutantely we are lucky to have stock of Picasso beads from both TOHO and Miyuki. Each companies take on the beads are different - Miyuki has a range of Tila and other double threaded beads to create interesting shaped necklaces and weaves to the more standard Picasso TOHO branded ones.
You can find the Miyuki beads here and the Picasso TOHOs here if you'd like to take a close look at their designs
So I hope that gives you an insight into the bead coatings and finishes, and a little more of an insight or guidance towards Miyuki and TOHO beads and may even help you with your next beading project! As always if you want to comment on this blog I always love to see your replies and questions. Head over to our Facebook (@BeadsJar) or our Twitter (@BeadsJar or #Beadsjar) and talk to me! If you have any questions or anything you'd like to add for future blog ideas email me at [email protected] and I will happily discuss and you could be featured in a future post!
As promised, the discount code for 15% of your shop is TODAY15 . Put this in at the end of your checkout for some money off your purchases! Only available for a limited time, so you this oppotunity to buy some new beads for all your projects, or even to stock up your favourites!
Have a wonderful day and happy beading!
Phill :D
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