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Beader’s dictionary


B

BAILS (See products)

Bails are findings used for hanging pendants to a support (chain, cable, etc.). Often triangular in shape, it is in its gap that a string or cord will pass. Bails equipped with two small rods that will fit in the hole of the pendant if it is pierced can also be found. Bails to be glued are also available on the market for pendants that have no holes.

BALI SILVER (See products)

Bali is an Indonesian island. Some communities on this island specialize in silver work. This art is passed down from generation to generation, making it an ancient art with unique methods. Indeed, local artisans use simple tools that may seem primitive, but that are wielded with a mastery that make the Indonesians experts in their art. Bali artisans use fine silver mixed with a small amount of copper, which results in an alloy that is between sterling silver and fine silver (pure silver). The Bali silver is known for its filigree pieces and exceptional granulation.

BALL HEADS PINS

Round plastic headed pins. Ideally used to pin an ongoing project to a support.

BAMBOO (See products)

Bamboo is a plant of the grass family with woody hollow cylindrical stems. It has prominent nodes and a very fast growth. From these stems, beads are made which are used for the creation of jewelry, often in the form of light and narrow tubes, short or not.

BATTERY OPERATED BEAD REAMER (See products)

Tool that has a handle and two interchangeable diamond file tips of various sizes. It cleans, regularizes or widens beads. Battery operated, it’s faster than the manual one and is particularly effective with organic beads such as pearls, seashell, coral and wood beads. Submerging the bead in a recipient filled with water during filing is recommended to prevent the beads from overheating. Replacement tips are sold separately.

BEAD

The word bead is the common name for any small decorative object pierced from one side to the other, allowing it to be strung on a wire or cord. Beads can be made of a number of materials. The most commonly used materials being glass, plastic, metal and gemstones. It is also possible and easy to find beads made of bone, shell, wood, polymer clay, ceramic and more. Beads can be used in various ways. Stringing, weaving and suspensions are popular techniques in the fashion jewelry and craft world, but there are a multitude of other techniques or manners to use them. Beads can be embroidered or even glued to fabric, used for scrap-booking, incorporated in knitting work or used as decorations at the bottom of a vase or an aquarium.

BEAD CAGE (See products)

A bead cage is a spherical decorative ornament made from a spiral wire. Being empty inside and flexible it can be pulled and inserting a tip or other small object. The bead cage can be made by hand with wire or purchased prefabricated.

BEAD CAP (See products)

A bead cap is a semi-circular element that is pierced and hollow that can be strung through a bead to decorate it. They are often made from metal whether precious metal or not. They add a certain finesse to beads. They are also used to hide bead holes that are too big or of an irregular shape.

BEAD REAMER REPLACEMENT TIP

Diamond tip that cleans, regularize and or widen beads’ holes such as fresh water pearls, seashells, corals, wood, metal, resin, glass and plastic. This tip is used as a replacement tip for electric or manual bead reamers.

BEAD ROLLER (See products)

Bead rollers can help you make polymer clay beads that always have the same shape and size. To make beads, simply insert a small amount of polymer clay between the two parts of the bead roller and slide them against each other in a back and forth motion. There are 5 different models available.

BEAD SHAPES

Several terms are used to designate bead shapes.

Baroque

This term is often used to designate fresh water pearls with irregular shapes.

Bicone

The term bicone is used to designate beads that are shaped as double cones. The surfaces are usually facetted for more shine. The majority of bicone shaped beads are pierced from one end to the other to make them into charms or pendants.

Briolette

The term briolette refers to a facetted tear drop shaped gem. For fashion jewelry, these beads are often pierced in their narrowest part. A little bit of history: The briolette of India is a 90.38 carats diamond. It is one of the oldest diamonds (XIIth century) and was touched by some of the most famous celebrities hands such as Aliénor d’Aquitaine, Richard I (coeur de Lion or Lionheart) and Diande de Poitiers. Its name is derived from its cut.

Coin

The term coin is often used to designate round and flat beads that are pierced along their length.

European style

The term “European style” is often used to designate different products similar to products from the Pandora brand. The beads have round or oval shapes, are slightly flattened on the sides and measure for the most part 14mm in heights. They have a hole that measures 5mm in diameter, which is big enough to insert a tubular chain (snake or other). The sides of the hole are often covered with metal. The beads can be facetted, smooth or engraved. They are available in several different colors and materials like crystal, glass, metal and semi precious stones.

Marquise

The term marquise is used to identify a specific gem’s cut that has 58 facets. Such shaped gems are often referred to as marquise or navette shaped.

Rondelle

The term rondelle is used to identify disk shaped beads that are pierced in their center. The succession of several of these beads gives a tube-like aspect.

BEAD STOPPER

Small stainless steel spring used to block strings of an on-going project and thus avoid loosing beads. It has two loops at its ends. To open it, pinch the loops one against the other, this will open the spring and enable an easy threading of strings. It can withstand up to ten strings. This small tool is very useful for multiple row creations and to fix strings from on-going projects that you have to put aside for a while. Ideal for flexible strings, it also works with nylon coated steel string and metal wires.

BEADERS' CHOICE (See products)

Beaders' Choice is the house brand developed and distributed exclusively by Club Bead Plus.The Beader's choice collection includes a selection of tools and high quality metal wires. Its primary advantage is undoubtedly its excellent quality/price ratio.

BEADING MAT

Small mat that is usually used as a working surface. Made from a durable foam and washer safe it’s mainly used to prevent beads from rolling everywhere. It can also be used as a cushiony hand rest when threading.

BEADING WORKTOP

Small plastic tray with edges, ideal to put your beads in without losing them. It doubles as a working surface.

BEADS LOADER

Tool that enable a rapid threading of a great amount of small beads on a string. Simply pour the beads to thread in the bowl and pivot the bowl on its base using the central rod. Threading is easily done thanks to the curved needle that follows the loader’s curves. Simply insert a string in the needle then insert the needle in the moving loader. This tool is one of the best to thread seed beads of the same diameter without any specific sequences.

BEZEL CUP (See products)

Bezel cups are findings usually made of metal, they have borders, not unlike a frame. Some have flat sides that are lace-like, while others have vertical sides that allow the bezel cup to hold something. They are called bezel cups because they are often used to glue glass, fabric, plastic or resin bezels. However the bezel cup can also be used as a container for casting resin, epoxy clay or polymer clay. Some are round others oval, square, rectangular, heart-shaped, etc. Some have a bail, 1 or 2 loops and other are to be glued on another surface, such as a ring.

BIRTHSTONE

The western birthstone chart is based on the biblical description of the breastplate of the high priest Aaron (brother of Moses) that consists of 12 stones that represent the 12 tribes of Israel. Across cultures and time, powers of protection were conferred to those who wore them. In 1912, the American national association of jewelers established a modern birthstone chart.
Month Stones
January Garnet
February Amethyst
March Aquamarine
April Diamond
May Emerald
June Pearl or Alexandrite
July Ruby
August Peridot
September Sapphire
October Opal or Tourmaline
November Citrine
December Blue Topaz

BIRTHSTONES

Since Antiquity, the power to prevent or treat certain ailments or illnesses are attributed to gems. According to lithotherapy (an unconventional type of medicine that heals through gems), the energetic power associated to the gems are said to come from the earth and sun. Their resonance and vibrations are sought as they are known to improve the well-being of the person handling or being exposed to the gem. All natural gems can serve as therapeutic stones. Sometimes they are engraved with symbols (ancient custom) to increase their power. A little bit of history: Notes about therapeutic gems are found in the writings of Aristotle and Pliny the Elder. In the Middle Ages, the abbess Hildegard of Bingen describes some of the healing virtues of the stones in her book Physica. This theory was later called the "medicine of Hildegard." Nowadays, according to this theory, some stones are not only beneficial for certain diseases, but they can also neutralize the influence of negative energies that affect human beings. Many testimonies exist and claim treatment of diseases with the gems. However, lithotherapy is not a medicine recognized by conventional medicine. There is no evidence nor scientific proof at this moment regarding the energetic power of gemstones.

BLACK-STONE (See products)

The black-stone is a porous and mat stone, whose color ranges from dark gray to black. This stone becomes darker with time and repeated contact with skin. In the fashion jewelry industry, it is often found as marbles of various sizes and shapes.

BOBBINS FOR KUMIHIMO BRAIDING

Soft plastics bobbins that are used with the Kumihimo braiding disc. They block strings and allow for an equal tension on each of them. Lift the flexible part of the bobbin and wrap the string in the middle, then replace the part you just lifted so it can hold the string in place. These bobbins are essential to prevent your strings from knotting together. They are also great to store any kind of strings.

BOLA PREGNANCY PENDANT (See products)

The Bola Pregnancy Pendant is the new popular jewelry piece for future Mothers-to-be! It is a long necklace that dangles close to the belly. The pendant contains a bead that creates a soft chime sound when she moves. At 20-weeks of pregnancy, babies are able to hear sounds from inside the belly, hence the soothing sound of this bola bead chime with this necklace! After birth, the sound continues to reassure and calm the baby, reminding him of the sweetest moments in mummy's belly. Choose from various trendy colors to match any Mother-to-be outfit!

BONE (See products)

Bones have been used to make jewelry since the Middle Ages, although they also have been used for the manufacture of tools and objects since prehistoric times. In ornamentation, long bones from ruminant vertebrates are mainly used. In fashion jewelry, carved bone beads are found in all colors and shapes.

BOOKMARK (See products)

Object that marks the spot where a person stopped reading a book. The bookmark can take many forms. Part of it is inserted in the book, so it must be thin and it can be made of metal, ribbon, cord, etc. The part of the bookmark protruding from the book may be decorated with charms made of beads, fringes or any item to add to the fantasy.

BRACELET (See products)

Bracelet, for men and women, is a piece of jewelry worn around the arm or wrist. The bracelets are not only used as adornments. They can also be useful in the form of watches, medical bracelets, or identification bracelets. When it is made of cloth and worn higher on the arm, it is called a cuff. If it is worn on the ankle, it is called an ankle bracelet or foot jewelry. The bangle bracelet is of Indian origin. It is a ring-shaped bangle that is worn on the wrist or higher on the forearm. The cuff bracelet is a wide bangle that does not close on itself. An opening is left to slide in the wrist.

BRAIDING

Braiding is the action making braids, this means intertwining strands. Braids are the result of that action. A braid is generally made of three strands but there are also braids that have more than three strands. In jewelry making, the braid can also be made using ribbons, cords, straps, chains, metallic wires or a mix of these materials.

BRASS

Brass is mostly a copper and zinc alloy. However it can be made of lead, tin, nickel or magnesium. Brass is non ferrous metal that is extremely malleable, easily manufactured and yet surprisingly fragile. It tarnishes slowly but has a tendency to stain the skin it comes into contact with. In decorative art and in the fashion jewelry industry, brass is used for its golden-yellow color that closely resembles that of low carat gold.

BROOCH (See products)

Jewelry that is decorated on one side (ornamentation can take a variety of forms) and that is provided with a pin in order to attach it on a fabric. Essentially ornamental and worn by women today, the brooch was formerly used to fasten clothes and was called clasp or fibula. Its main purpose being utility, the fibula was worn by both men and by women.