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Swarovski offers a wide range of colors and special coatings to meet the needs of all occasions. Special coatings are bonded chemically to the outer surface of the beads for a more brilliant effect. Aurora Borealis, which gives off a rainbow-like effect, is one of the more popular coatings. Crystal Transmission, Volcano, Aurum, and Dorado are also popular special effect beads. The special effect and special coating of each bead is permanent. Austrian Swarovski crystal contains approximately 32% lead. Full lead crystal must contain above 30% lead oxide content in order to be considered full lead crystal.

Birthstones

Swarovski offers a wide range of colors and special coatings to meet the needs of all occasions. Special coatings are bonded chemically to the outer surface of the beads for a more brilliant effect. Aurora Borealis, which gives off a rainbow-like effect, is one of the more popular coatings.

Crystal Transmission, Volcano, Aurum, and Dorado are also popular special effect beads. The special effect and special coating of each bead is permanent. Austrian Swarovski crystal contains approximately 32% lead. Full lead crystal must contain above 30% lead oxide content in order to be considered full lead crystal.

Most beads are measured from hole to hole and rounded to a whole number. Machine made beads are more uniform from one batch to the next whereas handmade beads and beads made in nature will vary from bead to bead. If you have a particular use in mind that depends on precise measurements, please Contact us and ask us for measurements.

For more information on measurements, colors and descriptions listed on this web site please click here.

Here are examples of bead measurements using a digital caliper. These beads were selected at random from stock on hand as of this printing.

• 4mm Crystal AB Fire Polish Round In this example, the diameter of the bead we selected measured 4.55mm on the digital caliper. Other beads on the same strand measured anywhere from 4.51 to 4.66mm. This measurement does not include the hole size.
• 6x4mm Cobalt Blue Rice Beads In this example, the length of the bead we selected measured 6.10mm on the digital caliper and the width measured 4.17mm. Other beads on the same strand measured between 6.04mm in length to 6.16mm. This measurement does not include the hole size.
• 22x10mm Dark Topaz Matte Feather Dot Lamp work Tube This is a Czech lamp work bead made that was made by hand. In this example, the length of the bead we selected measured 19.82mm and the width measured 10.14mm. Other lamp work beads selected measured anywhere from 20.28mm to 22.16mm in length. As with most handmade beads, variances in size are quite common and should be expected.
• 6mm Lt Emerald Swarovski 5301 Bicone Crystal In this example, the crystal bead selected measured 5.86mm from hole to hole on the digital caliper. Other crystal beads from the same factory pack measured anywhere from 5.75mm to 5.90mm. This measurement does not include the hole size.
• 6mm Emerald Green Rondell Beads In this example, the hole is drilled through the center of the bead rather than lengthwise. Rather than being measured from hole to hole, these flat rondell beads are measured by the width of the disc. In the case of a puffed rondell bead, such as the 3x4mm Lt Amethyst Puffed Rondell Beads, the beads are measured by thickness and width. In this case, the beads are 3mm thick and 4mm wide.
• Natural Beads such as Gemstone Beads, Freshwater Pearls, Shell and Coral Beads vary widely in their measurements. These beads are made in nature thus they automatically do not have a uniform size and shape. Through cutting and grinding, gemstone beads, shell beads and coral beads are formed. In most cases, this is not done in a precise manner. Freshwater pearls are made in the shells of mollusks and, therefore, are not uniform in size. The pearl farms sort pearls by approximate size, shape and quality. When measuring these types of beads, an average size of the beads on the strands is used rather than measuring each and every bead. Often times, you will see a range of sizes of listed, for example Camouflage Jasper Coin Beads 11-12mm. The average bead size on these strands of beads is 11-12mm. However, beads could be larger or smaller than the stated size.

*This chart is provided as a reference only. Sizes are not guaranteed*

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