Beaded jewellery is made by stringing, weaving or wiring beads into necklaces, bracelets, earrings and anklets. The beads can be glass, seed beads, crystal-look glass, wood, metal, acrylic or semi-precious stone, and the choice sets the look, weight and price.
In Indian jewellery, beads appear on their own and as accents in kundan, Rajwadi and boho pieces.
Common bead types
- Glass beads: the most common, in many shapes, colours and finishes.
- Seed beads: very small glass beads used for woven and embroidered designs.
- Crystal-look beads: faceted glass that sparkles, used in party and bridal pieces.
- Metal beads: brass or alloy, often plated or oxidised.
- Wooden and natural beads: light, used in boho and casual styles.
- Acrylic beads: very light and cheap, good for large statement pieces.
- Semi-precious beads: natural stones such as onyx, agate or quartz, for higher price points.
Stringing and finishing
Stringing material matters as much as the beads. Nylon-coated wire is strong and common in necklaces; elastic cord suits stretch bracelets but wears out; silk or nylon thread suits knotted pearl and bead strands.
Check crimps, knots and clasps. Most beaded jewellery failures come from the ends, not the beads.
Where it is made
Rajkot makers use beads widely as part of metal jewellery. Purely beaded ranges are also made by craft units and home-based workers across India, so a dedicated beaded line may need a specialist rather than a casting workshop.
Painted and coated beads should be included in lead testing for markets such as the US and EU.
What this means for a buyer
Beaded jewellery is easy to vary and quick to sample, but materials vary widely. Specify bead type, size, colour and stringing, and approve a sample before bulk. Our guide to common quality problems covers broken strings and weak clasps.
Creston & Co works for buyers only, for a fixed fee agreed in writing. We check materials and finishing, have samples tested at NABL-accredited labs and supervise packing. Ask for a free sourcing review.