Seed Bead Finishes


Seed Beads | Seed Beads

  1. Transparent

    You can see into or through the beads. They may be matte or clear, and your thread may show through.

  2. Opaque 

    The glass transmits no light. You can't see the thread inside opaque beads. The may be matte.

  3. Matte

    Matte beads have a velvety, "frosted" surface, rather than a shiny or reflective surface.

  4. Iridescent

    AB [Aurora Borealis], rainbow. These finishes can be applied to transparent or opaque seed beads, which can change the colour of the bead entirely. This may be on the surface of the bead or the lining.

  5. Metallic Iris

    These beads are iridescent AND metallic, with a dark metallic colour with the Iris finish. Often called “OilSlick”.

  6. Lined 

    Lined seed beads have a separate color inside the hole of a transparent bead.

  7. Ceylon

    Ceylon glass transmits light but is murky, milky or translucent, like a pearl.

  8. Luster

    Luster is a uniform, shiny finish on the surface of a seed bead. Luster may be white, colored or even gold.

  9. Iris

    Iris seed beads are also called “oil slick” metallic beads. This finish should not rub off under normal wear.

  10. Silver-Lined

    Silver-lined seed beads have a mirror-like reflective lining to give them brilliance.
    The matte finish or AB finish can be applied on the surface of these beads

  11. Gilt-Lined

    The lining of these seed beads is a gilt colour, giving them a warm opal-like glow.

  12. Dyed

    With dyed seed beads, color is applied after the bead is made. Many dyed colours will wear off or fade with wear. Use dyed beads carefully in areas that will not get a lot of wear.

  13. Galvanized

    Galvanized beads are normal glass seed beads with a shiny metal-like surface coating (Zinc). The finish may be applied as a baked-on paint or electroplated. Galvanized finishes may eventually wear off.

  14. Matte Metallic

    Matte metallic beads are metallic AND have a matte or semi-gloss matte finish (so they are not shiny). This is usually the most expensive finish.

  15. Gold or Rhodium plated.

    This is a metallic finish that is more durable than galvanized.

  16. Silk Satin

    This is a pearly finish, which gives the seed bead an appearance of being cut (faceted). These beads can be fragile.

  17. Duracoat

    Duracoat is a new finish applied by the Miyuki factory. This is a very durable metallic finish that should not come off with normal wear.

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