| Bead Size | diameter MM | diameter inches | approx. beads per inch | approx. beads per gram |
| 4mm Square | 4mm | .160" | 6 | 11 |
| 5/0 Triangles | 3.0mm | .120" | 8 | 12 |
| 6/0 | 3.65mm | .154" | 10 | 17 |
| 8/0 | 3.0mm | .120" | 8 | 48 |
| 10/0 Triangles | 1.8mmW | .078"W | 12 | 58 |
| 11/0 | 2.4mm | .095" | 17 |
100 |
| 14/0 | .1.65mm | .065 | 26 | 256 |
| *16/0 | 1.5mm | .058" | 20-35 | 900 |
| *18/0 | 1.3mm | .052" | 25-40 | 913 |
| *20/0 | 1.17mm | .046" | 30-45 | 935 |
| *22/0 | 1.02mm | .040" | 35-50 | 950 |
| *24/0 | .091mm | .036" | 40-60 | 1000 |
BUGLE BEADS: Tubular shaped glass bead ranging from 2mm to 30mm. Abbreviated: BB. see bugle beads
CEYLON BEADS: a pearl-like finish on an opaque bead.
DYED BEADS: Beads that have been dyed (usually wild colors such as bright lavender). color may rub off.
GALVANIZED (METALLIC): metallic shiny non-permanent finish (coating). NOTE: The acid in your skin will cause the galvanized finish to come off the bead. We recommend that these beads not be used in jewelry that will have regular contact with your skin. Earrings ... probably OK; necklaces, bracelets, anklets ...... not recommended. Abbreviated: GAL
GREASY: Type of glass that is semi-opaque (allows light in but you can not see through the bead). The surface appears greasy giving the bead depth to its color. We have many of these listed with our tiny antique Italian beads & some listed with our 11/0 beads.
IRIDESCENT: This means the bead has been treated with a permanent finish that will give the bead from a rainbow effect to a dark oil slick effect. Sometimes the color of the glass can be totally concealed. Abbreviated: IRID. OR R.B.(RAINBOW)
LINED BEAD: The glass is clear on the outside & color is painted on the inside. Inside color may fade with light.
LUSTER: A semi-transparent high gloss coating with a whitish appearance (pearl like); usually permanent. Abbreviated: LUST
MATTE: A dull low-luster surface on a glass bead created by etching or tumbling. (many of the new Japanese beads have these neat finishes). Abbreviated: MAT
MATTE IRIDESCENT: The bead is matte (dull finish) & iridescent (oil slick colors).
OPAQUE: A bead solid in color; light can not pass through. Abbreviated: OP.
OPALESCENT GLASS: A translucent glass with a cloudy or milky color. The bead will have a subtle sparkle. Abbreviated: opal.SEED BEADS: Small glass beads used for bead work, sizes consist of 9/0 through 24/0. The larger the number the smaller the bead.
SILVER LINED BEADS: These beads have a mirror like silver lining that transmits from the center of the bead. These beads are beautiful; may fade some if over exposed to light. Abbreviated: S.L.
TRANSPARENT: Colored or clear glass that allows light to transmit through the bead. Abbreviated: TR. or Tran..
Tri-Cut Bead: Also called 3-cuts, are beads that have 3 or more facets on the surface of the bead. The most common are Czech beads sold in hanks(strung); see Czech tri-cuts.
Two-Cut Beads: Cylinder shape beads that have been cut on each end. A good example of a two-cut bead are bugle beads. Two-cut beads can be as small as 1mm, such as the Czech "micro" tubes. .
WHITE HEART BEADS: two layer bead with a translucent outer layer (usually red, orange or pink) and a white (most common) inner layer. Most white heart are antique. We have some beautiful white hearts listed on our vintage bead page, as well as some "modern" white hearts (reproduced by the French) on our size 11/0 page.