Wholesale Beads and Jewelry Making Supplies

Inches to Millimeters
Inches	Millimeters
1/16 in.	1.5mm
1/8 in.	3mm
1/4 in	6mm
3/8 in	9mm
1/2 in	12mm
5/8 in	15mm
3/4 in	18.5mm
7/8 in	22mm
1 in	25mm

Remember that this is a close approximation. Screen resolution and monitor size will affect how you view the chart.

How many beads per inch

Beads Per Inch
Bead Size	Per Inch	7"	16"	24"	32"	36"
3mm	8.25	57	132	200	265	288
4mm	6.25	43	100	150	200	225
5mm	5.00	35	82	124	160	180
6mm	4.25	28	67	100	132	153
7mm	3.50	24	57	85	114	126
8mm	3.25	22	50	75	100	112
10mm	2.50	18	40	60	80	90
12mm	2.00	15	33	50	66	72
14mm	1.75	13	29	43	56	63
16mm	1.50	11	25	38	50	54
18mm	1.25	10	23	34	45	50
20mm	1.20	8	20	29	38	43

Remember to allow for the length of your clasp. If you use spacer beads or mix sizes, this chart may not be accurate.

Seed Bead Sizing

Seed beads are sized in aughts, which are different than millimeters. The most popular school of thought of the sizing of seed beads states that the size (6/0) refers to the number of seed beads per inch (6 beads per inch). Another sizing theory is that the size is based on the rod used to make the beads. The larger the number, the smaller the bead (20 is small, 3 is large).

Seed Bead Sizes
Aught Size	mm diameter	beads per inch
6/0	3.3	10
8/0	2.5	13
9/0	2.2	15
10/0	2.0	16
11/0	1.8	20
13/0	1.5	27
14/0	1.4	24
15/0	1.3	25
delica	1.8	20

Birthstone Chart

Birth Month	Modern	Traditional	Mystical
January	Garnet	Garnet	Emerald
February	Amethyst	Amethyst	Bloostone
March	Aquamarine, Bloodstone	Bloodstone	Jade
April	Diamond	Diamond	Opal
May	Emerald	Emerald	Sapphire
June	Pearl, Moonstone	Alexandrite	Moonstone
July	Ruby	Ruby	Ruby
August	Peridot	Sardonyx	Diamond
September	Sapphire	Sapphire	Agate
October	Opal, Tourmaline	Tourmaline	Jasper
November	Yellow Topaz, Citrine	Citrine	Pearl
December	Turquoise, Blue Zircon, Tanzanite	Zircon, Lapis Lazuli	Onyx

Thread, Cord and Wire.

Silk Bead Cord - is used for beads with smaller holes such as freshwater pearls and beads under 5mm. You can add a designer look by using our Tri-Cord knotter, and placing knots on either side of the pearl. Wide spectrum of colors.

Nylon Bead Cord - is used as an all purpose bead cord. You can use Beeswax to coat the cord to keep it from fraying and tangling when it is repeatedly threaded through metal beads with sharp edges. Wide spectrum of colors.

Using light colors against a dark bead will lighten that bead color... Dark color cord will darken a light bead. Example: White cord with Garnet bead will add to the luminosity of the bead.

Tiger Tail - is a commonly used stringing material, and does not require a needle.

Beadalon - is our favorite stringing material. Unlike Tiger Tail which can sometimes kink, Beadalon wire remains soft and pliable, even when using the smaller beads. Beadalon is a multi-strand braided stainless steel wire with a nylon coating.

C-Thru Translucent Cord - is perfect for stringing Austrian Crystals, or any light colored bead when you don't want the cord to be visible.

Stretch Magic - is a flexible clear elastic cord. It is often used for slip-on crystal bracelets, and is a beader's favorite as it only requires a knot to finish.

Memory Wire - is a pre-coiled stainless steel wire that retains it shape. Very popular for wine charm markers and bracelets.

Rattail - is a round, satin-like cord, often used to show off one large pendant or centerpiece as it's beautiful colors beg to be seen.

Leather Cord - is always a popular stringing material as there is no finishing required. Simply add a pendant or centerpiece, tie a bow and go.

Plating (Standards and Abbreviations)

SC - Silver Color Metal

GC - Gold Color Metal

SP - Silver Plated Finish - over a base metal for a Sterling Silver appearance.

GP - Gold Plated Finish - over a base metal for a 14K Gold appearance.

SS - Sterling Silver - .925 actual silver content.

GF - Gold Filled - a layer of 12K or 14K Gold, milled to a base metal for a long lasting gold appearance.

14K - .585 actual gold content.

18K - .750 actual gold content.

Wire/Sheet Sizing Charts

Wire Size Chart
B & S Gauge	Decimal	Millimeter
12	.0811	2.06
14	.0630	1.60
16	.0512	1.30
18	.0394	1.0
20	.0323	.82
22	.0252	.64
24	.0197	.50
26	.0157	.40
28	.0118	.30

Sheet Size Chart
B & S Gauge	Decimal	Millimeter
16	.0512	1.30
18	.0394	1.00
20	.0323	.82
22	.0252	.64
24	.0197	.50
26	.0157	.10
28	.0118	.30
30	.0110	.25

Remember that this is a close approximation. Screen resolution and monitor size will affect how you view our charts.

Wire Size and Temper

Wire Gauges - In reference to wire gauge sizes, the larger the number, the smaller the diameter of the wire.

26g - extra fine - for very small and delicate projects
24g - fine - for pearls & most gemstones - easy to work with
22g - medium - fairly universal for glass beads, fits some pearls and gemstones
20g - medium heavy - great for earwires, clasps or larger beads
18g - heavy - often good for chainmaille or when you want a heavier look
16g - heavy - often used as a base to wrap finer wires around
14g - heavy - often used as a base to wrap finer wire around
12g - very heavy - hard to work with, good for rings and buckles

The most commonly used sizes for wire wrapping are 20 to 24g.

Wire Temper - Measures the amount of spring in the wire.

Soft - Has no spring when you bend it. Good for making wire beads.

Half-Hard - Has some spring, but is still malleable. Good for basic wirework. Hold its shape well.

Hot Fix Crystal Guidelines

Temperature Guidelines in Seconds
Fabrics	120°C 250°F	130°C 265°F	140°C 285°F	150°C 300°F	160°C 320°F	170°C 340°F
Cotton	15	13	11	9	7	5
Linen	15	13	11	9	7	5
Wool	25	22	19	16	13	10
Denim	25	23	21	18	15	12
Lycra	25	21	17	13	9	5
Silk	14	13	11	9	7	5