Rondelles
212 strands
A flattened round bead, wider than it is tall. The workhorse shape for strung necklaces and bracelets.
Used for strung necklaces, bracelets, spacers between larger beads
Shape guide
Shapes.
What each cut is called, how it is measured and drilled, and what makers use it for. The same stone reads differently as a rondelle, a briolette or a dagger; pick the shape for the piece first, then the stone.
Heishi
66 strands
Thin flat discs strung edge to edge so the strand reads as one continuous column of color.
Used for stacking bracelets, layered necklaces
Ovals
64 strands
An elongated round, smooth or faceted, drilled along the long axis.
Used for necklaces, bracelets, statement strands
Nuggets
45 strands
An irregular, organic chunk, tumbled or faceted, no two alike.
Used for statement necklaces, one-of-a-kind pieces
Pears
24 strands
A rounded drop, fuller than a tear drop, usually faceted. Hangs point-up or point-down depending on the drill.
Used for earrings, pendants, graduated necklaces
Tubes
13 strands
A cylinder, smooth or faceted, drilled through the length.
Used for bar necklaces, bracelets, spacers
Rounds
12 strands
A sphere, smooth or faceted. The classic bead.
Used for everything: bracelets, malas, necklaces
Hearts
11 strands
A heart outline, faceted or smooth, drilled across the top lobes.
Used for earrings, charms, focal beads
Rectangles
9 strands
A flat bar or baguette, faceted or smooth.
Used for pendants, bar necklaces, geometric earrings
Tear drops
7 strands
A drop that tapers to a point, drilled across the narrow top so it hangs point-down.
Used for earrings, pendant clusters, the front of a necklace
Coins
4 strands
A flat round disc, faceted or smooth, drilled across the edge or through the center.
Used for earrings, necklaces with flat drape
Marquise
2 strands
A pointed ellipse, faceted on both faces, drilled across one point or through the length.
Used for long earrings, pendants, fringe
Cubes
2 strands
A box shape, faceted or plain, drilled corner to corner or face to face.
Used for bracelets, modern necklaces
Pyramids
Ask for stock
A four-sided point on a flat base, drilled across the base so the point faces out.
Used for pendants, spike necklaces, earrings
Trilliants
Ask for stock
A triangle with softened corners and faceted faces.
Used for pendants, earrings
Arrowheads
Ask for stock
A tapered point with a notched base, cut long and flat.
Used for pendants, boho necklaces
Diamond cuts
Ask for stock
A rhombus outline with faceted faces, cut flat.
Used for pendants, long earrings
Half moons
Ask for stock
A D-shaped bead, flat on one side, curved on the other.
Used for fan earrings, pendants
Reading a size.
Round shapes are given by diameter. A pair of dimensions describes width by length in millimeters, so a 6x9mm pear is 6mm across and 9mm tall. A range such as 3–5mm describes graduated bead sizes. Confirm the dimensions and drilling of the strand you order.
Center drilled
The hole runs through the long axis. Rondelles, rounds, ovals, tubes and cubes. Strung end to end.
Top drilled
The hole runs across the narrow top so the bead hangs. Pears, tear drops, hearts, marquise and daggers. Fringe and earrings.
Flat and stacked
Thin discs strung edge to edge so the strand reads as one column of color. Heishi and coins.