Basic Beading Glossary

There are many specific terms in beading that are used in projects, articles, and catalogs. Here are some of the more commonly used beading and jewelry making terms. Additional links are provided to longer descriptions and photos.

Anneal: The process of heating glass or metal to a predetermined temperature for a set period of time, then cooling it slowly to make it harder and less brittle. Smaller and single pieces can be heated with a torch, but a kiln or an annealing oven is needed for larger or many pieces.

Ball: An undrilled round, globe-like object. Can be wrapped, put into bead cages, or glued onto items such as picture frames or pens for embellishment purposes.

Bead: Any bit of material with a hole (natural or drilled) that goes all the way through the object.

Bezel: A component in jewelry-making that stones (usually gemstones) can be set into. A bezel looks like a ring or rim, and is used to hold stones in place. Used for pendants, charms, rings, earrings.

Bib: A necklace with three or more strands, with each strand longer than the one above it.

Bracelet: A length of beads worn around the wrist.

Bullion: A tight, flexible coil of extremely thin wire used to finish some types of jewelry pieces. Used to finish ends of strung jewelry (necklace, bracelet, anklet) and provide protection from wire or thread fray. Also known as "French Wire".

Cabochon: Also called simply a "Cab". Smooth, domed stones (though can be almost any material) that are polished. Cabs can be glued into bezels, used for wire wrapping, or in embellished seed beading projects.

Choker: Any style of necklace that is either relatively tight on the neck or drops no further than the collarbone.

Dog Collar: Like a choker, but has 3 or more strands.

Double Overhand Knot: An overhand knot made by bringing the tail through the knot twice.

Finding: Any item, other than a bead or stringing material, used to make jewelry. Findings include clasps, bead caps, earring wires, crimps, etc.

Graduated: A necklace (sometimes bracelet or string of beads on an earring) of gradually increasing sized beads with the smallest near the outside ends. Graduated pearl necklaces have a large pearl in the center, with gradually smaller pearls (matching on both sides) toward the outside.

Half-Drilled: Most commonly a ball, but can be almost any shape, that is only drilled half-way through the material. Set half-drilled beads on posts using a small bit of glue or epoxy. Half-drilled beads are normally used for making post earrings.

Hank: Strands of seed beads that are tied together and sold as a unit. A typical hank consists of 20 to 23 strands that are approximately 20 inches long.

Lariat: A necklace of at least 48 inches in length that is not joined at the ends in any way. The piece is tied on or wrapped around the neck like a scarf.

Matinee: A necklace that is no less than 20 inches long but no longer than 24 inches.

Mounting Cord: The cord that remains fixed and is used to hold additional cords ("working" cords) for making knots in macrame, friendship bracelets, and other types of knotted pieces.

Opera: A necklace that is no less than 28 inches and no longer than 32 inches in length.

Princess A necklace that is 18 inches in length.

Rope: A necklace no less than 40 inches in length, typically up to 45 inches, but can be longer.

Uniform: A piece of any length made up of equal-sized beads throughout.

Warp Threads: Threads that run lengthwise on a loom.

Weft Threads: The widthwise threads that form the woven pattern (over and under) the warp threads on a loom.

Working Cords: Cords attached to a mounting cord used to create the knots in macrame, friendship bracelets and other knotted pieces.

-- K. Jenkins