Legend and information regarding colours and finishes

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TR AB-transparent AB 1284

Characteristics of an AB finish
  • Appearance: It creates a dazzling, "rainbow" sheen on the bead, adding extra sparkle compared to an uncoated bead. The visual effect is sometimes referred to as "fire".
  • Versatility: The AB finish can be applied to a variety of bead types, including:
    • Transparent or clear glass beads (resulting in "Crystal AB")
    • Opaque beads, such as black or colored glass
    • Matte beads, which creates a textured, glowing effect
  • Color-shifting: The appearance of the AB coating shifts based on the color of the bead it is applied to and the light it is viewed under. On a dark bead, the coating may produce metallic gold and aqua flashes, while on a light bead, it can appear more subtle and pearlescent.
  • Double coating: Some manufacturers offer an "AB 2x" finish, which means the iridescent coating has been applied to both sides of the bead for an even more dramatic effect. 
 
How the finish is created
  • Process: AB finishes are created by applying a very thin layer of metallic coating to the surface of a glass or crystal bead. This is often done by placing the beads in an oven where a chemical reaction with metal fumes causes the finish to adhere.
  • Origin: This technology was developed by Swarovski in partnership with designer Christian Dior in 1956. 

AB   Aroura Borealis These beads are sometimes referred to as AB or rainbow ,the finish creates an iridescent finish that reflect all the colors of the rainbow. It can be combined with transparent, matte, metallic or opaque beads.

 

OP  Opaque

1002 100810341026

An opaque bead finish is a solid, non-transparent color that does not allow light to pass through. This provides a strong, consistent, and vibrant color in beadwork and jewelry making. 
 
Features and variations
  • Appearance: Unlike transparent or translucent beads, opaque beads are a solid, block color. Their surface is naturally shiny unless treated with another finish.
  • Durability: A pure opaque finish is a durable, long-lasting finish that is resistant to fading. However, some beads described as opaque may be dyed, and those can sometimes fade or wear off over time.
  • Combining finishes: Opaque finishes are often combined with other treatments to achieve a different look. Common combinations include:
    • Matte Opaque: A frosted or etched surface is applied to an opaque bead to remove its reflective quality and create a soft, non-shiny finish.
    • Duracoat Opaque: A special, highly durable coating is applied to the bead to protect the color from rubbing or scratching. This is often used on dyed opaque beads to prevent fading.
    • Opaque AB: An Aurora Borealis (AB) coating, which is an iridescent, rainbow-like effect, is applied to the surface of an opaque bead.
    • Opaque Luster: This adds an extra shiny glow over the opaque base.
  • Manufacturing: The process for creating opaque glass beads involves using a base glass that is inherently a solid color, not a coating applied to clear glass. Manufacturers like Miyuki start with a relatively small number of opaque base colors and use different finishes to create a wide palette

 

TR   Transparent

transparent light redTR-transparent 2340  TR MT-transparent matte 2325

TR MT AB-transparent matte AB 29348  TR AB-transparent AB 1284

 

A transparent finish describes the body of the bead itself, allowing light to pass through. This finish is available in a variety of styles, which produce distinct optical effects. 
  • Standard transparent: The bead is made from clear or colored glass, allowing the color of the stringing thread to be visible and influencing the final look.
  • Color-lined: A layer of opaque color is added to the inside of a transparent bead. The outer glass magnifies the color, adding depth and vibrancy. Popular variants include silver-lined and copper-lined beads.
  • Luster: This is a glossy, transparent coating applied over the base color of the bead. It creates a high-gloss, wet-looking shine that adds depth and a reflective effect.
  • Aurora Borealis (AB): An iridescent, multi-colored coating is applied to the exterior of a transparent bead, which reflects a rainbow of colors.
  • Frosted (or Matte): The surface of the bead is etched with acid or tumbled to create a subtle, semi-opaque finish that diffuses light.
  • Luminous: An inside-dyed finish where a vibrant, neon color is placed inside a transparent glass bead, creating a glowing effect.

 

s/l   Silver Lined 

clear silver-lined 1280 purple s/l AB 1320

beads have a shiny silver lining of a transparent bead. The bead may be clear, or any other transparent color. There is a mirrored effect coming from the center of the bead making them very shiny.

A silver-lined finish is a bead-making technique where a thin, metallic-looking layer is applied to the inside of a transparent glass bead's hole. This inner lining reflects light from inside the bead, creating a bright, shimmering effect that can dramatically enhance its color. The effect can be further embellished with other coatings.
 
 
Variations of a silver-lined finish
  • Silver-lined AB (Aurora Borealis): An iridescent, multi-colored rainbow coating is applied to the outside of the transparent bead, which then shimmers over the reflective silver lining inside.
  • Silver-lined Dyed: A colored dye is applied to the outside of a silver-lined bead to create specific bright colors. This finish is less durable and can fade or wear off over time.
  • Semi-Frosted Silver-Lined: The exterior of the bead is given a matte, or "frosted" finish, creating a softer, more subtle reflective quality.
  • Permanent Finish (Toho): Some brands, like Toho, offer a "permanent finish" that is designed for increased durability and wearability. 
Durability and care
While a silver-lined finish is popular, the internal lining can be susceptible to tarnishing over time, especially if not stored properly. To extend the life of your beads: 
  • Store them in a dry, dark place.
  • Neutralize acidic fabrics or threads before beadwork to prevent chemical decay.
  • Avoid contact with strong solvents, which can cause the outer coating on dyed or plated beads to rub off

 

cp/l   Copper Lined

red copper lined 401821

A copper-lined bead finish is 
a type of bead or finish where a transparent or colored outer material, like glass, contains a shiny, reflective layer of copper inside its stringing hole. The inner copper lining creates a mirrored effect that makes the bead glow with a unique, warm hue. 
This term is most commonly used in beading for crafts and jewelry, but can also refer to hair extension beads or a technique in stained glass work. 
 
  • Appearance: The copper lining reflects light from the center, which makes the bead appear to glow from within. This creates a warm undertone that can be used to subdue brighter colors or add a pop of color to a contemporary design.
  • Material: The outside of the bead is usually transparent or translucent glass, such as a seed bead, while the interior is lined with a copper-colored metal.

 

c/l   Colour Lined

Aqua Blue White c/l 401805

A "color-lined" bead finish refers to 

a transparent or clear glass bead that has an opaque layer of color applied to the inside of the bead hole. The transparent outer glass magnifies and deepens the color from the center, giving the bead a unique glow. 
 
Characteristics of color-lined beads
  • Distinctive effect: The transparent glass exterior allows light to pass through, illuminating the bright color of the interior lining. This creates a vibrant, eye-catching effect that differs from a bead that is solid in color.
  • Variations: This type of finish can come in different styles:
    • Silver-lined: A very popular variety where a mirrored, silver-colored lining is used to maximize the reflection and shine from the center of the bead.
    • Metallic-lined: The lining can also be metallic colors like gold or copper.
    • Luminous: A specific type of color-lined finish by brands like Miyuki that features a super-bright, neon-colored interior lining.
  • Durability: Compared to dyed beads where the color is on the outside, a color-lined finish is more durable because the color is protected inside the glass. However, excessive friction, solvents, or UV rays can still cause the color to fade or rub off over time.
  • Best use: Because the core color is visible through the transparent glass, you may need to consider your thread color, as it can be seen inside the bead. Color-lined beads work well for projects where you want a luminous or reflective effect

s/g   Solgel

Opaque Pink Natural s/g   1052
 
Characteristics of sol-gel beads
  • Enhanced durability: The finish makes the beads more resistant to common causes of wear and fading, such as friction, sunlight, and exposure to cosmetics and body oils.
  • Consistent, lasting color: This coating protects the color of the bead, ensuring it remains vibrant and resistant to fading over time.
  • Color variety: The finish can be applied to beads made from different types of glass (crystal, alabaster, and chalk) to produce a wide range of colors and opacities.
  • Washable: Beads with a sol-gel finish are washable with mild detergents in temperatures below 100°F (38°C), making them suitable for garments and other textile projects.

pf   PermaFinish

Blush Pink Metallic PermaFinish pf552  

PermaFinish (PF) is a special durable coating applied by the brand TOHO Beads to its galvanized seed beads, which protects the color and prevents it from fading or wearing off, ensuring greater longevity for jewelry and other bead projects compared to un-coated galvanized beads. The "galvanized" aspect refers to the shiny, metallic look of the finish, while "PermaFinish" is the protective coating that makes this metallic look permanent. 
 
Key Features of PermaFinish Beads
Durability:
The PermaFinish coating adds a protective layer that increases the bead's resistance to fading, discoloration, and wear. 
 
Metallic Finish:
The galvanized finish gives the beads a unique, attractive metallic sheen. 
 
Vibrant Color:
The coating helps the colors of the beads stay vibrant and bright over time. 
 
High-Quality:
TOHO is a Japanese brand known for its precision-crafted, uniform, and high-quality seed beads, and PermaFinish beads are part of this commitment to quality. 
 
When to Choose PermaFinish Beads
Bead Weaving & Embroidery:
The enhanced durability of these beads makes them ideal for intricate bead weaving and embroidery projects that may involve multiple passes of thread. 
 
High-Stress Designs:
For projects that might experience wear and tear or exposure to the elements, PermaFinish beads offer long-lasting results.