Question 1

What is the difference between a bead and a cabochon?

Accepted Answer

A bead has a hole drilled through it for stringing or weaving, while a cabochon is a polished, flat-backed stone with no hole, meant to be set in a bezel, wire-wrapped, or embedded in resin. If your recipient strings necklaces or does bead weaving, buy drilled beads or strands. If they bezel-set or wire-wrap, choose cabochons sized in millimeters to fit their settings, commonly 8mm, 10mm, 18x13mm, and 25x18mm ovals.

Question 2

What size seed beads should I buy for a beader?

Accepted Answer

Size 11/0 is the most-used seed bead and the safest gift, good for peyote, brick stitch, and general bead weaving. 15/0 beads are smaller for fine detail and edging, while 8/0 and 6/0 read chunkier for fringe and bold work. Seed beads are sized by aught, where a higher number means a smaller bead. Buy by the gram or in tubes; Japanese brands like Miyuki and Toho list precise, uniform sizing.

Question 3

How do I know if a gemstone bead or cabochon is genuine?

Accepted Answer

Read the listing for the words natural, genuine, stabilized, dyed, or reconstituted, and ask if it is unclear. Much inexpensive turquoise is actually dyed howlite or magnesite, and bright blue or red strands are often dyed agate. Genuine stones show natural variation, while dyed material is uniform and may rub color. Reputable makers state treatment, origin, and grade; natural untreated stones cost more and are worth confirming before a milestone gift.

Question 4

How much do beads, gems, and cabochons cost as a gift?

Accepted Answer

Plan on $4-$15 for seed-bead tubes, glass-bead mixes, and small cabochons; $15-$60 for gemstone strands, artisan lampwork focal beads, and graded cabs; and $80 and up for rare or large natural stones. A 15-16 inch gemstone strand often falls around $12-$40 depending on the material. For an unsure gift, a $25-$40 strand or a maker's gift card covers most beading and wire-wrapping projects.

Question 5

What should I look for in a gemstone bead strand listing?

Accepted Answer

Check the strand length (usually 15-16 inches), bead diameter in millimeters, hole size, and the number of beads per strand. Confirm whether the stone is natural, dyed, or stabilized, and whether holes are drilled clean and consistent. Strands are sold by dye lot, so colors vary batch to batch. A maker matching a current project may need a specific lot, so a gift card or a generous color range is safer than guessing an exact shade.

Question 6

What are the best occasions to gift beads or cabochons?

Accepted Answer

They suit birthdays, the holidays, and Mother's Day for anyone who beads, wire-wraps, or makes jewelry, and they work as a restock for a hobbyist who is always mid-project. Lampwork focal beads and graded cabochons make a standout gift on their own, while seed-bead tubes and findings pair well in a small bundle. For a new beader, a strand plus a few cabochons gives them options without committing to one design.

Beads, Gems & Cabochons for Makers

Explore by interest

Recently explored

Inspired by what you viewed

Beads, Gems & Cabochons for Makers

There's even more for you to discover

Explore by interest

Recently explored

Inspired by what you viewed

Related themes

More in Craft Supplies & Tools

Inside Beads, Gems & Cabochons