Bead Glossary B

Bead Glossary B

Bead Glossary B continues our descriptive on what do you need to know about beads? Bead names & sizes, shapes and finishes of some of our favorite beads are listed here along with illustrations and resources for viewing images and more information. Reading a Bead Seller's bead glossary is highly recommended, as they are the most informed about what they present. Our pages are a bead surf excursion that we hope you'll enjoy. Not all inclusive, and no guarantees are implied in any way for the content or accuracy of third-party sites. The glossary will continue to be added to over time; we hope to encourage bead study of all kinds, and inspire your own art.

Beads to some are small items with holes that can be strung as jewelry. Who would not agree? Except, that definition leaves out those interesting bits that can be sewn, set, glued and couched, or dangled by other means. Whether you prefer the conservative view of
strung beads or fancy just about any found object, beads are a delight.

Briolettes are a shape and a style of faceting, that is: gemstone cutting (defined courtesy of the International Gem Society). Briolettes are usually an oval or pear shape with its entire surface cut in angular facets for a beautiful sparkle. Briolette cuts are found in almost all gemstones. Click on the image left, courtesy of Vitabeads.com and the briolettes of Peridot, Iolite, and Onyx below, courtesy of ExoticIndiaArt.com to view larger images. Briolette refers to the faceted cut, not a color or size. Read about the famous diamond Briolette of India to view an extraordinary faceted stone! Like many reflective beads, a briolette may have enhancements added such as being fire polished or the addition of an Aurora Borealis finish (which should be clearly indicated). Shapes can vary from the traditional teardrop, as can the precision of the faceting. Be sure to note whether the beads are side drilled, top drilled or not drilled at all.

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