It is easy to go crazy when buying beads, but you want to purchase ones you will use and enjoy. Here are some tips that I use when purchasing beads.
* Quality First
Always check for cracks, chips, and imperfections. Cracked beads can fray stringing thread, chipped beads can hurt the wrist on bracelets, and imperfections can look really odd on earrings (unless they are matched). See Gemstone Buying Tips for more ways to judge gemstones quality.
Beware that sometimes beads aren’t all the same shape. This can add character to a piece of jewelry, but it also can be distracting from what you envisioned. Knowing what you are buying beforehand, prevents unpleasant surprises.
* How Many?
Strands are generally cheaper than buying single beads, so if you are planning to make several pieces of jewelry, a strand is most likely a better deal. See our article on How Many Beads Do I Need? to determine how many strands to buy. If you are buying an exact number of single beads, know if can be challenging to match beads if a piece of jewelry breaks. Sometimes having a few extra beads can save lots of time when restringing later.
Always verify the length of the strands of beads being sold. Though usually strands are 16 inches long, I’ve seen 14 or 15 inch strands sold as 16 inch. If you are buying at a gem show, take a tape measure.
* Planning Helps
If you know you love to make matched sets, be certain to buy enough beads for that. If you are buying for making earrings and then want a matching necklace, it is nice to have enough beads already.
* Hole Size
Having consistent and smooth holes make beading easier. If the hole is too small, and you like to bead using silk thread, expect to need to restring. Getting beads with larger holes makes restringing less likely (or at least less often)!
* Buying Out of Your Comfort Zone
Often, I try new materials, shapes and sizes just to explore. This can be really enjoyable, but I try to have some of my usual beading supplies available. Then I can mix and match as desired — gaining more confidence in the new types of beading styles.
* Buying In Bulk
When buying in bulk at places such as Ebay, read the descriptions VERY carefully. If it says silver, it usually means silver tone unless stated otherwise; if it describes gold, generally it means gold tone. Often beads will be plastic or glass unless stated otherwise. That said, you can get different types of beads to continue your explorations. Just read carefully so you know what you are getting.
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