Please read the following information before placing your order
Thank you for visiting our store. Below is a guide to the sizes and quality of our Asian and African beads.
Our Sizing Guide
◆General Sizing Guidelines
・All measurements are in millimeters (mm), rounded to the nearest 0.5 mm.
・Sizes are average values and are approximate, as individual items vary.
・Choose a hole diameter larger than your cord. A hole size of “0” means there is no hole.
・The number at the end of a product name refers to the first measurement listed.
1. Beads
Sizes are listed as Diameter × Length × Hole diameter
Diameter: Maximum value in the direction perpendicular to the hole
Length: Maximum value in the same direction as the hole
Hole diameter: Hole diameter
2. Pendants and Charms
Sizes are listed as Long side x Short side x (Hole diameter)
Long side: Maximum value in the long direction
Short side: ShortMaximum direction
Hole diameter: Hole diameter
3. Other Items
Sizes are listed as Maximum length × Maximum width × Maximum height
Care and Use of Asian and African Beads
As for Asian and African beads, especially glass beads, since the glass near the holes is thin, the beads may crack or chip by hitting each other when they are made into accessories. This often happenes with elongated (barrel-shaped) glass beads. We recommend placing metal beads, silver beads, wood beads,etc. between the glass beads for cushioning.
Before Use
Asian and African glass beads may have ash-like residue inside the holes due to manufacturing methods. Although it is harmless, you can remove it with a brush (such as interdental brush) before using beads easily.
We appreciate your understanding that we send without removing ash-like residue to keep the prices affordable.
A free cleaning brush is available on request with orders of glass beads with holes 2 mm or larger. The brush cannot be used with smaller holes.
To receive one brush with your order, include “brush” or “cleaning” in the Order instructions field in your cart when ordering. Requests made after ordering, including by email, may not be accommodated.
If you force the cords through the beads, the beads may break easily, so use a cord that is thinner than the hole size.
(Note) Regardless of the material, beads and cords may be discolored or decolorized by ultraviolet rays if they are discolored by moisture such as sweat or rainwater and stain clothes, or if they are used repeatedly in direct sunlight for a long time. Please note that there is a possibility
Characteristics of Asian and African Beads
Asian beads, especially Indonesian beads, vary greatly in size, shape, and color due to the following circumstances. Of course, that is one of the great attractions of Asian beads, but in some cases it is better to have no variation. Please understand the following points and enjoy our Asian beads. Basically, it is made by hand, there is no strict standard, and there is no concept of product number. Therefore, there are variations in size and shape within one production lot (quantity unit that can be produced at once in one production).
Furthermore, if the production lot is different (for example, the second production), not only the size and shape but also the color tone will be different.。Even if they look the same at first glance, they give a completely different impression when compared between groups of dozens of pieces. However, the above differences are not treated as differences and tend to be treated as the same product.
Our Product Numbering Policy
We determine the product number of beads based on the following guidelines :
・ Items of the same design sourced at different times usually receive different product numbers.
・ If no color difference is visible even when compared in groups, the same product number may be given exceptionally.
・Variations in size and color tone within the same design will be treated as the same product number unless it is very noticeable, and variations in size within approximately 5% will be treated as the same product number.
-Also, in exceptional cases, the size descriptions may have a width with the same part number, but in this case as well, we will send items of the same size as closely as possible.
When processing your order, we select beads to minimize variation within that order. For the best consistency, we recommend ordering the full quantity you need at once.
About Recycled Glass
There are two types of glass beads materials: "glass" and "recycled glass".
1. Glass: New glass material made for bead production.
2. Recycled glass: Reused waste glass, available in two types:
・Molten Recycled Glass:Glass material for beads made by melting and recycling waste glass
・Non-melting recycled glass: Glass material for beads made by cutting and shaping waste glass without melting it )
How We Select Beads for Your Order
Unless you specify otherwise, we select beads according to the following guidelines, subject to available stock:
・Product photos show typical beads for each product number.
・For one bead, we select the closest match to the photo in our judgment.
・For two beads, we match them as closely as possible.
・For three or more beads, variation is more likely as the quantity increases.
・When stock is low, matching may be limited. We will notify you if variations exceed our standards.
