Pearl beads

A pearl bead refers to a small spherical bead made from pearl material. Pearl beads come drilled with a center hole for stringing and crafting jewelry, accessories, and decorative objects. The lustrous sheen of a pearl bead adds an element of beauty and luxury to handmade creations. From fine jewelry to kids' crafts, pearl bead options open diverse decorative possibilities.

Types of pearl bead options

For organic elegance, Mother of Pearl beads are lustrous. Mother of pearl comes from the inner nacre layer of oyster shells. The natural iridescent sheen exhibits a rainbow of colors depending on the viewing angle. Laser cutting forms the nacre into tiny discs with a hole for stringing. The smooth, pale rainbow beads add organic elegance when mixed with other natural materials like wood, stones, and shells.

Genuine pearls, imitation glass, and plastics open to unlimited creative potential. Natural pearl beads provide a classic gold standard. Natural pearls develop when irritants get lodged inside mollusks, so naturally, round beads are rare. Wearers may look for loose baroque and Keshi pearls drilled for crafting. Natural South Sea and Tahitian pearl beads make precious statement pieces. Jewelers can easily mix large coins and nuggets between smaller beads for impact. Faux pearl beads use plastic instead of glass at the lower end of the quality spectrum. Acrylic and Lucite resin provide the lustrous sheen of pearls for a fraction of the cost. The simulated pearl bead pieces work well for children's craft projects and events like Mardi Gras.

Culturally significant Navajo pearl beads have ornamented Native American art and attire for centuries. Tiny seed beads hand-drilled from Mediterranean sea shells were traded through early Spanish explorers. The pearl bead pieces are accented with turquoise stones and silver metals in Navajo jewelry and accessories. The neutral tones harmoniously balance fiery turquoise hues. Rather than spherical, flat pearl beads are shaped like disc buttons or lentils. When strung, the flat profile provides visual interest from varying light reflections. Flat pearl bead pieces work well as spacers between round beads, adding texture and dimension. Choose lightweight freshwater or acrylic flat pearls in long necklaces for comfort. The unique shape of flat pearl beads inspires novel jewelry designs.

For more color options, glass pearl beads offer an inexpensive alternative to natural pearls. Expert glass artisans shape molten glass into smooth, pearlized beads. The glass construction allows tinting glass pearl bead pieces in any hue, from basic cream to bold jewel tones. Machine-cut precision provides excellent consistency for beaded strands. Glass also takes decorative treatments like printing, etching, and iridescent finishes. The pearl beads offer timeless elegance and versatility for designers and DIYers.

Buying pearl bead pieces in bulk

For crafters, buying bags of bulk pearl beads allows creative freedom. Mix small 2 to 6-mm pearls into jewelry, accessories, and decorations. The convenient bulk pricing means sellers can cover larger projects without worrying about waste. Having a variety of pearl bead sizes and shapes on hand fuels inspiration. Explore interesting carved shapes beyond the round, including coins, cubes, tubes, flowers, and hearts. A set of small pearl beads is ideal for detail work and pave settings.