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Delicas Beads, Sometimes Inaccurately Called Seed Beads, Are Cylindrically Shaped Glass Beads Made By World Famous Miyuki.
Delicas are a specific bead manufactured by world renowned Miyuki, Japan's oldest seed bead manufacturer. They are cylindrical in shape with a big hole that provides room for several passes of thread through each bead and can be had in a large selection of colors and finishes.
Size 11 is the most popular size of the Delica beads with 944 different colors, finishes and treatments in the round cylinders in addition to approximately 55 more in the hex cuts, which are hexagon shaped cylinders. The diverse variations are produced by particular glass treatments. There is basic transparent glass, basic opaque glass, and etched glass for a matte or semi-matte effect. Then there are the various colored glasses.
In addition there is a variety of finishes or treatments. "Treatment" means something that is applied onto the surface of the glass and can be on the top, often within the hole and in some instances one finish on the top and an alternate finish in the hole. Treatments can be made up of a clear "rainbow" or "aurora borealis" finish, a "pearl" finish, colored dyes, and various metal coatings such as precious metals. Some Delica beads have more than one treatment applied to them in order to result in the desired effect.
Be aware that there are some durability issues with a number of the finishes such as the dyed or galvanized beads. The best suppliers will be able to provide you with the durability information.
Miyuki also produces a size 10 Delica that is slightly larger, a size 8 that is much bigger than the size 11, and a size 15 that is much smaller. The size 10 and 15 are quite new and therefore don't come in as many colors and finishes as the size 11.
The quality of Miyuki's Delica beads is very high and as a result they are more expensive. You should acquire them from a reliable bead retailer that sells the genuine article. Be aware that some retailers have been known to buy cheaper, lower quality beads from another manufacturer and pass them off as Delicas. Also be very wary if you are tempted to buy at an on-line auction.
If you are getting your beads to bead up a pattern that provides you with the Delica number, such as DB-010, you shouldn't have a problem because each color has a number. But if you are getting your beads by description you may have a problem, as there is not a standard color description for each bead. The reason being that the Japanese description does not translate readily into English and the different importers each have their own interpretation. So it's always best to go by the DB- number.
Real Delica beads are a great choice in any Loom, Peyote or Brick beadwork because they are so regular. They make any pattern line up perfectly and give a clean, crisp finish to your project. There are fewer culls when you are working and therefore they are more cost effective than their price might indicate. And the color and finish selection is superb!
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