Varieties of Japanese beads and their manufacturers

Japanese beads do not have such a long history as Czech beads. In the Land of the Rising Sun, glass beads began to be produced quite recently - in the 40s of the XX century. The Japanese began to use the most advanced technologies and the best traditions of glass making when creating their own product.

High quality, varied assortment and durability - this distinguishes Japanese beads from other products, it is considered better than Czech beads. Very smooth - bead to bead, durable, with a resistant coating, beautiful colors and unusual shades. Products made from such material are neat, the lines when weaving lie flat, it looks aesthetically pleasing and luxurious. Jewelry and other accessories made from such beads can be compared to jewelry.

Benefits of Japanese beads:

• exact size (articles do not change);
• wide holes;
• smooth edges;
• lightweight;
• protective coating inside and out;
• lack of marriage;
• a variety of shapes, sizes, shades and types of spraying.

Disadvantages:

• high price;
• different types of coatings have different degrees of resistance.

Japanese products are considered one of the most expensive: a 5 g bag costs at least 50 rubles, and often more. Often, the cost depends on the manufacturing technology and the method of staining.

Needlewomen often select the size of beads for weaving and embroidery. In Japan, they use their own numbering to indicate size. The numbers in the product description indicate the number of beads that fit in a small segment, that is, 15/0 or 11/0 is the number of beads lying on one line. The more details fit in between, the smaller the bead.A bag weighing 5 g contains about 500 of them.

Dimensions in mm:

• 15/0 — 1,5;
• 11/0 — 2,2;
• 8/0 — 3,0;
• 6/0 — 4,0;
• 3/0 — 5,5.

The types of Japanese beads are distinguished by their shape.

• Round (roycal) - most often found in needlework, it is used for braiding large textures, rivoli, knitting plaits. There is a variant of takumi - it looks like a keg.
• Charlotte - a round variety with one edge, the cut plays with highlights in the sun.
• Cylindrical (Delica) - elongated, with the thinnest walls and a huge hole. It will make an even dense canvas with mosaic and brick weaving.
• Triangular - has 3 edges to create a deeper and more voluminous texture.
• Cubic - has 4 edges, suitable for creating a convex texture.
• Hexagon - there are 6 corners and 6 faces, helps to create convex surfaces that play with shades of color and light. Hexagon is also a hexagonal variety with rounded, evenly smoothed edges.
• Magatama - in the form of a flattened drop, a hole is located at a narrower edge. Used for finishing edges and obtaining a volumetric texture.
• Long magatama - differs from the one mentioned above in its elongated shape, reminiscent of a flower petal. Creates an interesting scaly texture or wide needles effect, suitable for edging.
• Bugle - a hollow glass tube. It is round and faceted, there are twisted edges. They are used in embroidery and finishing of twisted fringes.
• Cabin - these are chopped bugles no longer than 5 mm, suitable for weaving geometric shapes and braids. Creates a perfectly flat surface.
• Drops - teardrop-shaped, with an offset hole. One side is wider and the other is narrower. Volumetric decorations are created from it.
• Berry beads - has the shape of a bean, it is used for convex bracelets, figures, when knitting plaits and lariat, using the Ndebele technique.
• Tila Is a flattened square with two holes, suitable for volumetric and flat embroidery, as well as for beading on a special machine.
• Mixes - the set contains beads of different shapes in a harmonious range, bring unpredictability into the creative process when weaving original jewelry.

According to the design and method of covering, several groups can be distinguished.

• Transparent Are transparent glass particles that easily transmit light.
• Opaque - solid colored glass, dense and opaque.
• Matt - the surface does not reflect light, resembles glass drops frozen or burned out on fire.
• Rainbow - a shiny and opaque composition gives a play of color shades due to a special dusting.
• Ceylon - pearl variety. The sparkling surface creates a pearlescent glow.
• Metallic - each bead is coated with a thin layer of tin or copper. The thicker the layer, the darker the color becomes.
• Gold - coated with a layer of precious metal, then titanium oxide, which gives an incredible shine. There are two options: shine and metallic - the difference is in the thickness of the sprayed layer.
• Colored - different shades are applied to transparent glass, then heated - as a result, original unique combinations are obtained. Sometimes the paint is sprayed only from the inside.
• Electroplating - a special zinc layer that seals the color, protects against abrasion and scratches.
• Silvering - silver pollen is applied from the inside of the hole, transparent colored beads acquire light reflections.

The company was founded in 1949 and has several factories in Japan. It was she who released in 1982 a new cylindrical version of "Delica". Manufactures products in various shapes, sizes and colors.

There is its own patented development of galvanic spraying, it is from this company that it has a high degree of durability. Unique varieties: Delica, Long Magatama, Tila.

The brand was founded in 1957. It produces a product of high quality glass, which resembles candy caramel in transparency. Offers traditional beads: round, cylindrical, hexagonal.

The choice of colors is varied: there are metallic and gold plating, not so long ago a botanical series was released in muted pastel shades, hand-painted. Unique varieties: Aiko, Charlotte.

The company was founded in 1935. The products of this brand were the first to appear in our country and are considered the most affordable. The brand produces beads of various shapes and rich in palette.