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Bead Finishes

HomeFurther InformationBead Finishes

Colour-lined beads are made with transparent glass but have an opaque colour dyed or painted inside the hole. This colour is protected from excessive abrasion but can be rubbed off by thread.

To buy colour lined beads click here

Iridescent (or Iris, Aurora Borealis (AB) or rainbow) beads are transparent, opal or opaque beads with durable multicoloured shiny finishes applied by fuming metal salts onto the hot glass for a permanent bond.

To buy iridescent beads click here

Lustre beads (known as luster in the US) are transparent, opal, or opaque beads with transparent, uniform shiny finishes that are usually permanent. Opaque lustre beads are often called pearl and opal lustre beads are sometimes called Ceylon.

To buy lustred beads click here

Matt (known as matte in the US) have flat, dull or frosted finishes.

To buy matt beads click here

Metallic (or galvanised) beads are glass beads that have a shiny, metal-like surface coating which is usually a baked-on paint. The coating may wear off over time.

To buy metallic beads click here

Opal beads transmit light but are milky or translucent. Good opal glass glows like an opal gemstone.

Opaque beads transmit no light and you cannot see through them.

To buy opaque beads click here

Painted or Dyed beads have bright or unusual colours achieved by applying dye or paint to the finished beads with heat and solvents. These dyes can wear off.

Pavé beads have many stones set closely together to create a sparkling effect. They are often used to make bracelets and earrings but can be used for other types of jewellery. Take a look at our shamballa style pave beads.

Satin beads look striated or layered because of the many minute air bubbles pulled through while the molten glass is formed. The apparent shade varies with viewing angle.

To buy satin beads click here

Silver-lined (or silverlined or SL) beads are made with transparent or opal glass and have a mirror like reflective lining in their holes. Usually, but not always, the hole is square to enhance the bead’s reflectiveness.

To buy silver lined beads click here

Translucent beads transmit light and you can see through them though not clearly.

Transparent beads transmit light and you can see clearly through them.

To buy translucent and transparent beads click here