Seed Beads

About Seed Beads

Seed beads is the collective term used for a range of different types of beads. Their uses vary and they’re commonly used to fill gaps in jewellery and act as spacers in between larger or more eye-catching bead designs. The Bead Shop stocks a wide range, in a variety of shapes from square, round, bugle shaped, hexagon, and cylindrical seed beads. There are also a wide variety of colours from dusty pinks, lavenders, antique ivory pearls and silver lined gold.

What are Seed Beads?

Seed beads are small glass beads typically used in jewellery making and beadwork. They measure between 1 to 2.5 millimetres in diameter, and their name comes from their small, seed-like size. Originating in Venice during the 15th century, they were created by skilled glass artisans. The main types include Japanese Cylinder Beads, Japanese Seed Beads, and Czech Seed Beads, available in various shapes such as round (rocailles), cylinder, hexagon, bugle, triangle, and drop. Seed beads are classified by size numbers like 6/0, 8/0, and 11/0, where the smaller the number, the larger the bead.

Manufacturing methods include winding molten glass or drawing out glass tubes and cutting them into smaller pieces. Their versatility makes them ideal for jewellery making, embroidery, beadwork, and various decorative applications. Japanese brands like Miyuki, Toho, and Matsuno are renowned for their high-quality seed beads, which come in various finishes including transparent, opaque, metallic, and frosted. Seed beads have held cultural significance for centuries, being used across cultures in traditional crafts and decorative arts.

Miyuki seed beads

Miyuki seed beads are steeped in Japanese history and have over time become a well-loved bead brand, popular with everyone from crafters to fashion designers. They are cut with careful precision and not only are they ideal for jewellery, they can often be used for bead stitching and loom work. They can look great when embroidered onto fabric.

Delica seeds beads

Cylindrical in shape, Delica seed beads are a type of Miyuki bead and can be used to create effortlessly detailed pieces. Like traditional Miyuki beads, these also look fantastic stitched onto clothing and, due to being cylindrical rather than completely round, they’re much flatter when sewn onto fabrics. There’s a huge selection of colours and shades to choose from including salmon, lilac, lime, and chocolate brown. There is also a choice between beads that are opaque or slightly transparent. To get your seed bead jewellery made to the highest quality you will need a selection of jewellery making tools. The Bead Shops stocks a wide assortment of tools to help you create the perfect piece. We have pliers, beading boards, storage boxes and much more. If you are looking for more beads to complement your seed bead creation then take a look out our glass beads or our shell disc beads collections for some more bead inspiration.

Preciosa seed beads

Preciosa seed beads are highly regarded in the world of beadwork and jewellery making. Known for their exceptional quality and precision, these beads are manufactured in the Czech Republic, a region renowned for its glassmaking heritage. Preciosa seed beads are available in a wide array of sizes, shapes, and finishes, offering designers extensive creative possibilities. They are particularly prized for their uniformity in size and shape, which ensures consistent results in intricate beadwork projects. These beads are a popular choice among artisans looking for reliability and aesthetic excellence in their creations.