A bead is a small, decorative object that is pierced for threading or stringing. Alternatively plastic beads may be molded onto a Thread during manufacturing. Beads range in size from under a millimeter to over a centimeter in diameter. Glass, plastic, and stone are probably the most common materials, but beads are also made from bone, horn, ivory, metal, shell, pearl, coral, gemstones, polymer clay, metal clay, resin, synthetic minerals, wood, ceramic, fiber, paper, and the seeds of the Bead tree. A pair of beads made from Nassarius shells that are approximately 100,000 years old are thought to be the first known examples of jewellery.

Beaded jewelry refers to the jewelry made by using one or more of the different types of beads. They may woven together by a string or adhered to surfaces depending on the designed that one wishes to create. Exquisite beaded jewelry is to be found on the market.

Treasures of handmade Beaded Jewelry culled from different corners of the world abound. We find different regions; cultures and ages have had their own distinctive style of making beaded jewelry. From simple grace to ornate brilliance - the diversity of beaded jewelry is endless. An array of elegant beaded jewelry, handcrafted from glass, shells, plastic, metal, in fascinating colors, are available allover the world.

Beads can be strung together in any number of combinations to create different objects. Most of the times we create ornamental items like bracelets, earrings, and so on. Accomplished beaders are known to create highly complex bead items like multi-strand necklaces and complete ornament sets.

Beads come in a huge variety of shapes and sizes and styles. Some well known types include: Delica beads (cylindrical and very symmetric), opaque beads (non-transparent, single color), donut beads (donut-shaped beads in various colors), Aurora Borealis beads (multicolored, also clear or opaque), galvanized beads (with a metal coating), seed beads (small beads that make the body of the ornament or that fill the spaces between the bigger beads), transparent beads, silver lined or gold lined beads, matte finish (dull coating) beads and more.

Beads are made from almost any possible material including stone, glass, metal, wood, semi-precious and precious stones. Select the materials based upon the design and the item that you are planning to make. When selecting beads, look for uniformity in the finishing and the ease of stringing them together as the main factors in your purchase.