Seed beads are the backbone of beadwork, though it's easy to overlook regular round seed beads with so many wonderful new cylinder type beads being released all the time.
Serious beaders tend to want to own both types of beads, though,knowing that the bead used makes all the difference in the beadwork created, and there are some glass effects available in round seed beads that are not yet available in cylinder seed beads.
With that in mind, here's a review of 3 different types of round seed beads; the Metallic Finish bead, the Giltline Opal or Alabaster Opal bead, and the 24K Gold Electroplated bead.
Serious beaders tend to want to own both types of beads, though,knowing that the bead used makes all the difference in the beadwork created, and there are some glass effects available in round seed beads that are not yet available in cylinder seed beads.
With that in mind, here's a review of 3 different types of round seed beads; the Metallic Finish bead, the Giltline Opal or Alabaster Opal bead, and the 24K Gold Electroplated bead.
Giltlined Opal also known as Alabaster Gold Lined
These Giltlined Opal seed beads, also known as Alabaster Gold seed beads, look so subtle and elegant, so captivating, that you may find yourself unable to pass up shades you normally abhor.If you are dubious about gold, start off with color #577 Antique White Opal and you'll be converted almost immediately. Antique White Opal is a creamy-gold off-white that picks up surrounding colors and reflects them back, adding a warm golden glow to everything. The effect is like that of high-quality pearls; in fact, a simple Spiral Rope Necklace made with #551 White Opal and #577 Antique White Opal will rival pearls for the lighting effects on the wearer's skin, especially when illuminated by candlelight.
Even more gorgeous in sunlight, the subtle gold becomes bolder in the intensified light, yet is never garish, because the gold is filtered by the translucent glass. These beads even look wonderful in fluorescent lighting. Yes. It's that secret heart of gold that makes everything look warmer and smoother, bringing out more color and less shadow.
Being translucent glass, they absorb surrounding colors, then the gold-colored lining reflects that color back to the eye, adding the color of the giltlined bead and the shimmer of the opalescence. The result is mesmerizing.
I've found these beads to be very durable, however, I have also been warned that the darker colors can fade if exposed to sunlight for long periods.
Giltlined Opal seed beads are available in sizes 15/0, 11/0, 8/0 and 6/0 in a vast array of fascinating colors not seen in any other bead.
Metallic Mania - Metallic And Metal Colored Seed Beads
Metallic seed beads are so fun; they just glimmer and gleam and have such a richness about them that no other bead, except, of course, 24K gold electroplated beads, can.Another major factor in favor of collecting metallic seed beads is the range of colors and varieties of color combinations. In fact, Metallic Finish seed beads surpass even gold electroplated beads in versatility, depth of color, sparkle and richness. Because of the metallic shine, they add authority and presence to a beading project, and will function as the perfect touch of metallic accent in jewelry projects or bead stringing in those projects where gold, silver, or even copper just don't work.
Being metallic, they also work beautifully against any sort of "regular" metal color including gold, silver, copper, brass or bronze. One of my personal favorite metallic beads is Item #460; a rich, luscious, bronze shade with a slight reddish tone. Another favorite is Item #462D; multi-colored gold based bead with touches of purple, blue, peacock, and pink, creating a wild but yet subtle play of color. Another is Item #460A; an almost raspberry shade of bronze bead, which is just beautiful alone or worked with reds, browns, blues, any earthy colors and makes a beautiful Spiral Rope when used as a core color and a matte turquoise as the outside color.
I strongly recommend that any serious seed beader collect metallic and metallic-effect beads to work with basic seed bead colors. They help stretch the imagination and create more imaginative color combinations.
The Gleam of 24K Gold Electroplated Glass Seed Beads
Gold electroplated beads have a look and feel all their own. There's something a little warmer, a little weightier, a little more substantial than any other seed beads.Gold electroplated seed beads are available in yellow and white gold, and in a Rose Gold or Multi-Color Gold version, obtained by the use of an additional chemical process along with the electroplating.
The gold electroplated seed beads available from Japanese manufactures Miyuki Company and the Toho Company are of excellent quality and come in a variety of bead types including seed beads, drop beads, matte finish, Delica or Aiko cylinders and many others.
Beware, though, of any other bead with a gold or white gold color that is not electroplated. While less expensive, these galvanized, silk/satin or gold-painted beads will not hold up to wear and may even begin to fade or lose color while you are still working on your beading project.
About.com Guide to Chemistry, Anne Marie Helmenstein, Ph.D., who also happens to be an extremely talented beader, has written this informative article about electroplating explaining the process in detail.
Unfortunately, even the finest electroplating cannot create a glass bead incapable of being damaged. The bright yellow and white gold beads are the most durable, and, though also electroplated, Rose Gold Item #462A does tend to wear off sooner, due to the additional chemical process involved in their manufacture. All of the beads reviewed here may be purchased from Out On A Whim, AKA Whimbeads, purveyors of many fine beads and beading products. Just tell them Paula sent you!
