TOHO® Seed Beads - Surface Finish Overview

Ceylon

A glossy coating that gives the base glass a whitish sheen. Imagine a pearl-studded one. The Ceylon finish is mostly used on white, cream, pale yellow and pink glass, but also on other medium to light pastel shades.

Colour-Lined

This type of bead has a coloured coating within a transparent layer of glass.

Dyed

Dyed beads are available in a wide range of colours that can only be produced with dyed glass. However, they may fade under natural or artificial light, on contact with skin, and after washing or chemical cleaning. A possible alternative to a dyed seed bead is opaque colours, which do not fade.

Galvanized

Metal coating on the surface of the beads

Luster

Permanent, transparent, glossy colour coating on glass beads that is heat-treated like a glaze. These coatings are usually applied to a crystal- or black-based bead; however, there are endless combinations that are becoming increasingly popular. With light beads, a glossy coating can only add a subtle colour accent, while with dark beads the exact opposite can be the case.

Metallic

A shiny, highly reflective coating that gives the pearl a metallic appearance. Metallic or galvanised beads are glass beads with a shiny, metal-like surface coating that is usually baked on. Test the beads overnight in bleach, acetone or alcohol to check their resistance. Do not use the beads on bracelets or necklaces where they may suffer abrasion or be exposed to a lot of sunlight. Three or four coats of a spray fixative can prevent the surface from wearing away quickly. Bronze, haematite and copper are more durable because they have a metallic lustre.

Opaque

The beads are opaque and do not let any light through.

Opaque Frosted

The matte surface is a matte treatment that removes any shine from the surface of the opaque bead. Matte beads are suitable for beautiful, subtle beadwork and combine well with all other types of seed beads, from rainbow beads to metallic beads and more.

PermaFinish

PermaFinish is a protective coating that ensures long-lasting colour. It prevents the colour from fading, scratching and tarnishing.

Picasso

A glossy coating that appears rather speckled and mottled, giving the beads a natural, earthy look. The colour can vary from light yellow to dark brown, with the base colour varying. Some base colours of the beads, such as an opaque beige, blue or white, make the Picasso coating look like Raku pottery.

Silver-Lined Transparent

Also known as metal-coated, this type of bead has a silver coating within a transparent layer of glass. It gives the bead a reflective appearance and a very glossy effect in beadwork. Silver-coated beads are often used as spacers between other beads.

Rainbow

For glass beads, the terms Rainbow and Iris are interchangeable. They refer to an Aurora Borealis (AB)-like finish on the surface of the beads. It causes the light to be refracted as if it were passing through a prism. This creates a variety of diamond-like reflections that differ with each glass colour.

Transparent

These clear or coloured seed beads are transparent, so it is important to carefully consider the colour of the thread used.

Transparent Luster

The transparent glass has a pearlescent effect with a glossy surface. The glazed look is soft, shiny and has a different appearance depending on the transparent colour. As with all transparent glasses, you should bear in mind that your beading thread will be visible.

Transparent Rainbow

On the surface of transparent glass there is an iridescent surface. Similar effects are called Aurora Borealis (AB). The inner layer of the glass influences the colour of the rainbow, which can look more golden, violet, blue or green.