miyuki 3D

The Buyer’s Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color Chart

MIYUKI seed beads begin with transparent or opaque glass. The glass is treated in a variety of ways to take one base color and end with a limitless array of finished beads. Then the beads are etched with acid, painted, lined with metal, coated with metal, coated with other glass and shaped in a variety of ways.

By applying different finishes and coatings to these base colors of glass, they are able to produce thousands of different beads. With so many types of finishes, it’s easy to get confused. The following examples present the more common coatings and finishes of Miyuki seed beads.

Category of Color Group

Transparent, opaque, silk and alabaster colors are four basic color groups of MIYUKI seed beads.

Transparent (T/TR/Trans): beads that are see through even when colored. With lighter colors, these beads look almost clear.

Transparent

Opaque (OP): beads that are solid in color and therefore not transparent.

Opaque

Silk: beads that are made from translucent low luster glass, having a striated or satin-like appearance.

Silk

Alabaster: beads that have a dense translucent milky white or tinted finish.

Alabaster
Category of Finishes and Coatings:

AB (Aurora Borealis)/Rainbow: glass that has an iridescent rainbow effect finish applied to the surface of the seed beads.

AB (Aurora Borealis)/Rainbow

Silver-Lined (S/L): glass that has silver plating inside the hole of the beads, making a mirror-like reflective lining inside the hole.

Silver-Lined

Luster (Lust): glass that has a uniform, shiny finish on the surface of a transparent, translucent or opaque bead. Luster may be white, colored or even gold.

Luster

Metallic (Met): glass that has iris coating or bronzed luster glazed, giving the appearance of metal, typically bronze or gunmetal.

Metallic

Galvanized (GA): glass that has silver plating on the surface of the beads.

Galvanized

Color-lined (C/L): glass that is coated with a separate & opaque color inside the hole of beads, more durable than surface painted beads.

Color-lined

Duracoat/Durable Coating (DC): glass that has a durable clear coating for outside dyed or galvanized coating, thicker and stronger coating than traditional one.

Frost/Matte (MAT): glass that is etched at a microscopic level, producing a dull finish that does not reflect light

Matte

Semi-matte (S-MA): glass that has a mixed glossy/matte finish, a little brighter than regular matte finish beads.

Picasso: glass that is mixed of vivid, bold coloring and shines to create a beautiful artistic bead.

Picasso

Luminous: glass that can glow in the dark. Inside dyed colors, has strong durability against outside friction.

Luminous

Inside Color (IC): dyed color inside the hole of beads, while “Dyed Color (DC)” on the surface of beads.

Special Plating: Special plated beads such as 24KT (Gold-lined), Palladium, Nickel, etc.

24KT (Gold-lined)
Palladium
Nickel

For more finishes and durability of MIYUKI seed beads, please see below Miyuki Chart:

Click “Color Sample” pictures to see more color samples in enlargement.

ProcessFeatureex.Color SampleDurability
Seed BeadsDelica BeadsABC
TransparentCrystal or colored transparent.736 The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color ChartDB705 The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color Chart000
OpaqueBlack, Chalk-White or colored opaque.742 The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color ChartDB725 The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color Chart000
SilverlineSilverplated into the hole of beads.Silverline705 The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color ChartDB45 The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color Chart
Silverline dyed556 The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color ChartDB684 The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color ChartXX
Rainbow (AB coating)Rainbow coating.Transparent rainbow756 The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color ChartDB162 The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color Chart000
Opaque rainbow488DB161 The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color Chart000
Inside color rainbow825 The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color ChartDB58 The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color Chart0X
LusterLuster coating.Transparent luster757 The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color ChartDB99 The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color Chart000
Opaque luster423 The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color ChartDB215 The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color Chart000
Glazed luster869 The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color ChartDB218 The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color Chart00
MetallicIris coating or bronzed
luster glazed.
Gunmetal721 The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color ChartDB1 The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color Chart000
Iris722 The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color ChartDB2 The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color Chart000
Bronze725 The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color ChartDB22 The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color Chart000
Gold LusterGold luster glazed.868 The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color ChartDB122 The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color ChartDepends on the color
CeylonLuster coating or inside coloring of opalescent beads.861 The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color ChartDB231 The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color Chart000
Inside ColorDyed color inside the hole of beads.Inside color783 The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color ChartDB281 The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color Chart0X
Dyed ColorDyed color on the surface of beads.415 The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color ChartDB1310 The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color ChartXX
GalvanizeSilver plating on the surface of beads.181 The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color ChartDB35 The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color ChartXX
Dyed1060 The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color ChartDB415 The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color ChartXX
DuracoatDurable CoatingDuracoat Galvanized4201 The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color ChartDB1833 The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color Chart
Duracoat Silverline Dyed4240 The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color ChartDB2163 The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color Chart
Duracoat Opaque DyedDB4472 The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color ChartDB2112 The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color Chart
SilkSilk White color with Satin finish.82 The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color Chart2562000
Special PlatingSpecial Plated beads as 24KT, Palladium, Nickel, etc.Metal Plating on Nickel plated beads194 The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color ChartDB38 The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color Chart00
Inside (Gold)195 The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color ChartDB37 The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color Chart00
Inside( Copper)198376 The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color ChartX
DyednoneDB460 The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color ChartXX
Frost(Matte)Frosted beads.Frost401F The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color ChartDB744 The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color Chart000
Frost rainbow413FR The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color ChartDB361 The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color Chart000
Matte bronze2006 The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color ChartDB322 The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color Chart000
Semi-Matte1901 The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color ChartDB681 The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color Chart000
Special FinishSilverline Glazed BeadsnoneDB1391 The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color Chart
PicassoPicasso coating4514 The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color ChartDBM2262 The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color Chart
Special CoatingCzech CoatingMrea, Magic Orchid etc.4571 The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color ChartDBL2206 The Buyer's Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color Chart

*How to see the durability information

This data is based on examination results and manufacturing history. It is not the absolute one, therefore it differs in individual use and condition. Please confirm it well before you use it.

MarkMeaning
AColors might change and/or fade due to bright sun or deterioration with time.
BColors rubbing off from friction or contact with skin acid.
CColors will alter or fade from dry-cleaning.
0There is no problem in normal use.
There might be a problem in durability by individual use.
XThere is not strong durability, so attention is required for use.

*Notice

Please do appropriate handling referring to the above information and the following notices when they are applied to textile goods or accessories that touch the skin directly.

  • Some beads are dyed, galvanized or plated. The colors on the outer layers may come off, rubbed, or if soaked in the strong solvent.
  • Silver lined or galvanized beads are oxidized while apply on certain fabrics that are acidic, they may decay or turn dark due to the chemical change. In order to avoid such case, neutralize your fabrics and threads before embroidering.
  • Some dyed color beads might fade by the sunray.

MIYUKI seed beads are preferred worldwide for their consistent shape, size, and durability. With thousands of beads to choose from, they can be used for different designs, such as bracelets, earrings, necklaces, etc. If you are not sure which color you want, try to make first a small sample incorporating the colors you wish to use and study their effect. Also, you can refer to the free PDF MIYUKI Sample Cards for comparison.

2 thoughts on “The Buyer’s Guide to MIYUKI Beads Finishes Style and Color Chart”

  1. Please tell me where you got the design for that pendant, love the ball chain and lobster claw clasp.
    Could you tell me where you / or how to make it? I learned a lot from this article. Thank you – Lisa Hope

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