Frequently Asked Questions About Beads
- How are beads sized?
- Standard sizes are: 6mm (about 1/4 inch), 12mm (about a 1/2 inch), 18mm (dime size).
- What are most beads made from?
- The earliest beads were made of convenient natural materials; when found, these could be readily drilled and shaped.
In modern manufacturing, the most common bead materials are plastic, glass, metal, and stone.
- What is the origin of African Trade Beads?
- In the eighteenth century many glass beads were shipped from Venetian and Bohemian factors to African destinations and then
were exchanged with bead traders before reaching tribal chiefs, rulers, or royal courts.
- How are Seed Beads made?
- Seed beads are made of drawn glass. A hollow mass of glass is literally drawn or pulled into a long tube. The drawn glass tube
is cut into small pieces to produce seed beads.
Glossaries
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