Miyuki Seed Beads (Round Rocailles) — Made in Japan

Miyuki round seed beads, often called rocailles, are manufactured in Japan and are known worldwide for their exceptional consistency, uniform sizing, and high-quality glass. This consistency makes them a preferred choice for bead weaving, loomwork, embroidery, peyote stitch, brick stitch, and precision stringing.

Because of their tight tolerances, Miyuki seed beads allow patterns to align cleanly and evenly, especially in detailed or geometric designs.

Common Miyuki Round Seed Bead Sizes & Approximate Counts

Bead counts vary slightly by finish and batch, but the following averages are widely used for planning and project estimation:

• 6/0: approximately 12–15 beads per gram
  
• 8/0: approximately 38 beads per gram
  
• 11/0: approximately 110 beads per gram
  
• 15/0: approximately 290 beads per gram
  

Approximate Counts by Packaging Size (Miyuki Rounds)

22g Vials

• 6/0: ~260–330 beads
  
• 8/0: ~830–850 beads
  
• 11/0: ~2,400 beads
  
• 15/0: ~6,300 beads
  

250g Bags

• 6/0: ~3,000–3,750 beads
  
• 8/0: ~9,500 beads
  
• 11/0: ~27,500 beads
  
• 15/0: ~72,500 beads
  

500g Bags

• 6/0: ~6,000–7,500 beads
  
• 8/0: ~19,000 beads
  
• 11/0: ~55,000 beads
  
• 15/0: ~145,000 beads
  

Bead counts are estimates and may vary depending on finish, coating, and production batch.

Miyuki Delica 11/0 Beads — Made in Japan

Miyuki Delica beads are precision-cut cylindrical beads, best known for their uniform shape and flat ends. This makes them ideal for advanced bead weaving techniques such as peyote stitch, loomwork, brick stitch, and other structured designs where alignment matters.

Delica Bead Counts

A commonly used reference is that 11/0 Delica beads average approximately 190–200 beads per gram.

Typical packaging estimates:

• 5.2g vial: approximately 1,000 beads
  
• 22g vial: approximately 4,200–4,400 beads
  
• 250g bag: approximately 47,500–50,000 beads
  

These figures align well with industry standards and are appropriate for planning and inventory descriptions.

Miyuki Finishes, Coatings & Terminology

Understanding bead finishes is important, as finish type directly affects durability, wear, and long-term appearance.

Common Miyuki Finish Terms

Transparent

Clear or tinted glass with color throughout the bead. Very stable and fade-resistant.

Opaque

Solid-colored glass where color is part of the glass itself. Highly durable.

Silver-Lined

A metallic or colored lining inside the bead hole. While visually striking, silver-lined finishes may darken or lose brightness over time, especially with exposure to moisture, chemicals, or skin oils.

Color-Lined / Dyed

Color applied inside or on the surface of the bead rather than within the glass. These finishes can fade or rub off with wear.

Galvanized

A metallic coating applied to the bead surface. These finishes are popular but may wear or tarnish over time if not protected.

Duracoat®

A proprietary Miyuki coating designed to improve the durability of dyed and galvanized finishes. Duracoat finishes last significantly longer than standard coatings but are still not indestructible.

Miyuki Durability Overview

• Most durable finishes: Transparent, opaque, color-in-glass
  
• Moderate durability: Duracoat-treated finishes
  
• Least durable: Dyed, silver-lined, galvanized (without Duracoat)
  

Important note for customers:

Surface finishes may change over time depending on wear, friction, chemicals, perfumes, lotions, and storage conditions. This is normal and not considered a defect.

Practical note for customers:

Some finishes may change with wear, exposure to chemicals, or long-term use. This is normal and depends on how the bead is used and stored.

Czech Seed Beads — Made in the Czech Republic

Czech seed beads, commonly produced by manufacturers such as Preciosa, are known for their classic appearance, wide variety of finishes, and traditional glassmaking techniques. Compared to Japanese seed beads, Czech beads may show slightly more variation in size and shape, which many designers appreciate for a more organic look.

Common Czech Seed Bead Sizes & Approximate Counts

Published averages vary, but commonly accepted planning estimates include:

• 2/0: ~4–6 beads per gram
  
• 4/0: ~11 beads per gram
  
• 6/0: ~16 beads per gram
  
• 8/0: ~38–42 beads per gram
  
• 10/0: ~95 beads per gram
  
• 11/0: typically estimated around 110 beads per gram, though some finishes may differ
  

Approximate Packaging Estimates (Czech Seed Beads)

22g Vials

• 2/0: ~90–130 beads
  
• 6/0: ~350 beads
  
• 8/0: ~840–920 beads
  
• 10/0: ~2,000 beads
  
• 11/0: ~2,400–3,000 beads (varies by finish)
  

250g Bags

• 2/0: ~1,000–1,500 beads
  
• 6/0: ~4,000 beads
  
• 8/0: ~9,500–10,500 beads
  

10/0: ~23,750 beads

500g Bags

• 2/0: ~2,000–3,000 beads
  
• 6/0: ~8,000 beads
  
• 8/0: ~19,000–21,000 beads
  
• 10/0: ~47,500 beads
  

As with all seed beads, finish and coating affect weight and bead count.

Czech Seed Bead Finishes, Coatings & Durability

Transparent

Transparent beads get their color directly from the glass itself, allowing light to pass through.

Durability:

✔ Excellent

These are among the most stable and long-lasting Czech seed beads. The color will not fade or rub off under normal use.

Opaque

Opaque beads are solid in color and non-transparent, with pigment fused into the glass.

Durability:

✔ Excellent

Very stable and well suited for jewelry, loomwork, and everyday wear.

Soft Sheen & Classic Czech Looks

Luster

A subtle surface sheen that adds softness and depth to the color without a mirror-like shine.

Durability:

✔ Good

Generally stable, though heavy friction over time may reduce the sheen slightly.

Pearl / Alabaster / Chalk

These finishes create a soft, cloudy, or pastel look often associated with vintage or romantic designs.

Durability:

✔ Good

Not painted, but they can show wear faster than plain opaque glass with heavy handling.

Interior-Lined Finishes

Silver-Lined

A metallic silver lining applied inside the bead hole to add brightness and sparkle.

Durability:

⚠ Moderate

The interior lining can tarnish or darken over time, especially with exposure to moisture, skin oils, or chemicals.

Color-Lined

A colored coating applied inside the bead hole to intensify color without surface paint.

Durability:

⚠ Moderate

Interior coatings may fade or discolor with prolonged light exposure or chemical contact.

Surface-Applied Color Finishes

Dyed

Color applied to the outside of the bead to achieve shades not possible with glass alone.

Durability:

⚠ Low to Moderate

Dyed finishes may fade, rub, or wear off over time, especially in high-friction jewelry or when exposed to sweat and chemicals.

Painted

Surface paint applied after bead production.

Durability:

⚠ Low

Best for decorative projects, embroidery, or designs with minimal wear.

Metallic & Plated Finishes

Galvanized

A thin metallic plating applied to the bead surface, creating a bright, reflective finish.

Durability:

⚠ Moderate

Can dull or fade over time depending on wear, environment, and storage.

Metallic / Bronze / Copper / Gold Tones

Metal-look surface finishes that mimic real metal.

Durability:

⚠ Moderate

Not solid metal—abrasion and frequent handling may show wear.

Signature Czech Specialty Finishes

Picasso

A mottled, speckled surface treatment that gives beads a rustic, antique, or artistic look. Each bead can vary slightly.

Durability:

✔ Good

Generally stable, though heavy wear can soften contrast over time.

Matte

A frosted or sandblasted finish that reduces shine and glare.

Durability:

✔ Good

Matte beads may polish slightly with wear but do not peel or flake.

Travertine

A chalky, stone-like finish designed to mimic natural materials.

Durability:

✔ Good

Surface texture may smooth with friction, but color remains intact.

Modern High-Durability Czech Lines

Terra Intensive

A newer Czech finish designed to resemble natural stone, ceramic, and mineral textures. Colors are rich, earthy, and more saturated than older stone-look finishes.

Durability:

✔✔ Very Good

More resistant to fading and wear than traditional dyed or painted finishes, though still not indestructible.

Best for:

Jewelry, loomwork, and designs that need a natural look with improved longevity.

Permalux

Permalux is a modern Czech coating designed to improve durability on beads that traditionally wear faster, such as metallic, dyed, or specialty finishes.

Durability:

✔✔ Very Good

More resistant to fading, rubbing, and color loss compared to standard surface finishes. While still a coating, Permalux offers noticeably better wear for jewelry and frequently handled pieces.

Best for:

Projects where color longevity matters but a metallic or specialty finish is desired.

Iridescent Finishes

AB (Aurora Borealis) / Iris

An iridescent surface coating that reflects multiple colors depending on the light.

Durability:

⚠ Moderate

Surface coating can wear over time, especially with friction or chemical exposure.

General Czech Seed Bead Durability Notes

Czech seed beads are produced using a wide variety of finishes and coatings. While many finishes are highly durable, some surface-treated beads—such as dyed, painted, plated, silver-lined, or iridescent styles—may fade, rub, or change over time depending on wear, exposure to moisture, chemicals, skin oils, and storage conditions. Natural variation is part of the character and charm of Czech glass beads.

Quick Durability Summary

Most Durable Finishes

Transparent, opaque, matte, Terra Intensive

Moderate Durability

Picasso, luster, galvanized, metallic, AB, Permalux-coated styles

Lower Durability (Decorative or Low-Wear Use)

Dyed, painted, some silver-lined and color-lined finishes

Natural Stone Beads — Sourcing, Variation & Strand Counts

Natural stone beads are cut and polished from minerals found all over the world. Our stone beads are sourced through global supply chains, including China, which is a major cutting and distribution hub for natural stone beads.

Important Notes About Natural Stones

• Stone trade names may sometimes be incorrect or inconsistently labeled by suppliers.
  
  We make every effort to correct listings as soon as discrepancies are identified.
  
• Because stones are natural materials, color, pattern, and translucency may vary.
  
  Beads may look slightly different in person compared to photos.
  
• Variations are a normal and expected characteristic of genuine stone beads.
  

Approximate Bead Counts per 15-Inch Strand

These are math-based estimates and will vary slightly by drilling and spacing:

• 2mm: ~173 beads
  
• 3mm: ~119 beads
  
• 4mm: ~91 beads
  
• 5mm: ~73 beads
  
• 6mm: ~61 beads
  
• 7mm: ~52 beads
  
• 8mm: ~46 beads
  
• 9mm: ~41 beads
  
• 10mm: ~37 beads
  
• 11mm: ~34 beads
  
• 12mm: ~31 beads
  
• 13mm: ~29 beads
  
• 14mm: ~27 beads
  
• 15mm: ~25 beads
  
• 16mm: ~24 beads