Miyuki Seed Beads – Sizes, Types and Finish
Miyuki seed beads are highly sought-after beads used in jewelry making and beadwork. Produced by Miyuki Co., Ltd., a renowned Japanese company, these beads offer exceptional quality and versatility. Miyuki provides a wide array of seed bead types, sizes, and finishes, allowing artisans to create intricate and stunning designs. Explore the following varieties:
- Miyuki Delica Beads:
- Sizes: Delica beads are available in common sizes like 11/0 (1.6 mm), 10/0 (2.2 mm), and 8/0 (3.0 mm).
- Uses: These precise and uniform cylindrical beads are ideal for bead weaving, loomwork, and intricate patterns.
- Miyuki Rocaille Beads:
- Sizes: Rocaille beads, also known as round seed beads, come in various sizes, including 11/0 (2.2 mm) and 8/0 (3.0 mm).
- Uses: These versatile beads are perfect for bead embroidery, stringing, and various jewelry making projects.
- Miyuki Magatama Beads:
- Sizes: Magatama beads feature a distinct drop-like shape and come in different millimeter measurements.
- Uses: These beads add movement and dimension to Kumihimo braiding, fringe designs, and other artistic creations.
- Miyuki Tila Beads:
- Sizes: Tila beads are flat, square-shaped beads with dimensions around 5 mm x 5 mm and a thickness of approximately 1.9 mm.
- Uses: These beads are prized for their flat shape and dual holes, making them perfect for bead weaving and embroidery projects.
- Miyuki Cube Beads:
- Sizes: Cube beads have sharp edges and come in sizes like 3 mm, 4 mm, and 6 mm.
- Uses: Cube beads allow for geometric patterns, three-dimensional designs, and stunning embellishments.
These Miyuki seed beads can be further enhanced with various finishes, such as:
- Miyuki Duracoat: Provides durability, resistance to fading, scratching, and tarnishing.
- Miyuki Galvanized: Offers a metallic coating in colors like gold, silver, and copper, adding a touch of glamour.
- Miyuki Metallic: Provides a bright and shiny appearance with a lustrous metallic coating.
- Miyuki Matte: Offers a soft, non-glossy surface for a subtle and sophisticated look.
- Miyuki AB (Aurora Borealis): Features an iridescent coating reflecting multiple colors, creating a captivating effect.
- Miyuki Ceylon: Offers a pearly and translucent appearance with a delicate sheen, ideal for elegant designs.
Combine these different types, sizes, and finishes of Miyuki seed beads to unleash your creativity and craft beautiful, unique jewelry pieces.
| Size | Diameter (mm) | Diameter (cm) |
|---|---|---|
| 15/0 | 1.3 mm | 0.13 cm |
| 11/0 | 2.2 mm | 0.22 cm |
| 10/0 | 2.8 mm | 0.28 cm |
| 8/0 | 3.0 mm | 0.30 cm |
| 6/0 | 3.3 mm | 0.33 cm |
| 5/0 | 4.0 mm | 0.40 cm |
| 3/0 | 5.0 mm | 0.50 cm |
| 2/0 | 6.0 mm | 0.60 cm |
This chart provides the common sizes of Miyuki seed beads, along with their corresponding diameters in millimeters and centimeters. It can serve as a handy reference when working on beadwork projects or selecting the appropriate size for your designs.
Comparison Between Miyuki, Czech and Chineese Seed Beads:
Miyuki Seed Beads:
- Origin: Miyuki seed beads are manufactured in Japan by Miyuki Co., Ltd.
- Quality: Miyuki beads are renowned for their exceptional quality and uniformity. They are highly precise and consistent in size, shape, and color, making them a popular choice among beadwork enthusiasts.
- Range of Sizes and Finishes: Miyuki offers a wide range of seed bead sizes, from tiny 15/0 beads to larger 6/0 beads. They also provide various finishes such as Duracoat, Galvanized, Metallic, Matte, AB, and Ceylon, offering a diverse selection for different design needs.
- Uses: Miyuki seed beads are well-suited for intricate bead weaving, loomwork, bead embroidery, and detailed patterns. They are often preferred for complex projects that require precision and uniformity.
Czech Seed Beads:
- Origin: Czech seed beads are traditionally made in the Czech Republic, known for its long history of bead production.
- Quality: Czech beads are known for their high-quality craftsmanship and rich colors. They are often praised for their beautiful, vibrant hues and unique finishes, including Picasso, Iris, and Luster.
- Range of Sizes and Finishes: Czech seed beads are available in various sizes, ranging from the tiny 15/0 beads to larger 6/0 beads. They also offer a wide selection of finishes, such as Transparent, Opaque, Picasso, Iris, Metallic, and more.
- Uses: Czech seed beads are popular in a wide range of beadwork projects, including jewelry making, bead weaving, stringing, embroidery, and general crafts. They are valued for their versatility and the array of colors and finishes they offer.
Chinese Seed Beads:
- Origin: Chinese seed beads are manufactured in China, which has a long history of bead production.
- Quality: Chinese seed beads vary in quality, with some manufacturers producing beads of lower consistency and uniformity compared to Miyuki or Czech beads. However, there are also high-quality Chinese seed beads available on the market.
- Range of Sizes and Finishes: Chinese seed beads come in various sizes, similar to Miyuki and Czech beads. They offer a range of finishes, including Transparent, Opaque, Luster, and Metallic.
- Uses: Chinese seed beads are commonly used in a variety of beadwork projects, including jewelry making, bead weaving, embroidery, and crafts. They are often favored for their affordability and availability.
Overall, Miyuki seed beads are known for their exceptional quality and uniformity, Czech seed beads for their rich colors and unique finishes, and Chinese seed beads for their affordability. The choice between these beads depends on the specific project requirements, design preferences, and budget considerations.
