Calculating Bead Sizes for Your Next Project

Beads are beautiful and versatile. Whether you want to make a neckpiece or embellish a handbag, bead size matters big time. The overall appearance and ease of working largely depend on the bead size. A regular person would not know the difference between a 6mm bead and 8 mm bead. But as a beading enthusiast, it’s essential to understand the sizing of the beads. Thus, look at this quick guide before heading to a  beads store .

Measuring bead size

If you are a professional or beginner at beading, sizing beads can be a daily task. Most bead sizes are round or spherical, thus making diameter a prime sizing factor. Whether making bracelets with  crescent beads  or tiny stud earrings with seed beads, each project demands a different shape and size. There can be two major reasons why measuring bead sizes can help:

• To know which size is ideal for your next project.
• For sorting and storing them in their respective categories.

Typically, bead sizes are measured in millimeters. However, in the case of large beads, one must go with inches or per strand.

Here are the most common methods to measure bead size:

1. Measuring bead size with a ruler

Measuring bead size with rulers has been a common practice worldwide. It is simple but is quite a process to get an accurate reading. Place the centimeter ruler with 0 running from left to right. Put a pencil in a T-bone pattern on the left side of the rule, perpendicular to it. Starting at 0, arrange 10 beads in a row at the top of the ruler. At the intersection of the ruler and pencil, press the first bead. Place each bead in a straight line as if stringing . Count how many millimeters are covered by the 10 beads, and lastly, divide the value by 10. And voila! You get the accurate size of the bead.

2. Measuring bead size with calipers

Calipers can be both standard or digital and give quicker readings than rulers. All you need to do is slide the tips open, place a bead of your choice, and close the tips tightly against it. Note down the reading on the digital display.

Note : Calipers generally give reading in millimeters. If you want readings in inches, multiply the reading in millimeters by 0.03937. On the contrary, if you have readings in inches, multiply it by 25.4 to get the value in millimeters.

Conclusion

Once you have determined the ideal-sized beads for your project, you can check the jewelry specifications to see how many beads you need. With perfect bead size, you will also need the right accessories, such as strings, wires, needles, etc. Thankfully, you can get them under one roof at Finest Beads. They offer a plethora of beads in different shapes and sizes, such as crescent beads, table-cut beads, stones, etc., perfect for any beading project. Visit their online beads store today to get the best quality beads and essentials delivered to your doorstep!