What Types of Metal Beads Are Attractive And Available

 Metal beads are one of the best jewelry making items to buy, for a variety of reasons: they are strong, versatile, heavier than plastic beads, they can be plated and they come in a wide range. Here is a guide to some of the different types of metal beads which are available to buy.

Silver plated:

These metal beads have been treated in a special way, so that they are coated in a very thin layer of real silver. Although they look like solid silver beads, they are actually just covered in one layer of it. This means that although the beads look and feel like they are made completely of silver, they do not cost as much as beads which are solid silver. Because of this, silver plated items are great value for money. They are available to purchase for far less than solid silver items are, but will still add a touch of class to all of your homemade jewelry.

Gold plated:

It is also possibly to use real gold to plate metal items using the same techniques needed for silver plating. These items are a great value alternative to buying solid gold alloy items. Buy these to add a touch of bling to your jewelry making, or to create classy items for eveningwear or special occasions. Gold plating can be used with different types of gold, such as white gold and rose gold, so if you want to choose gold beads, then your available options are even greater!

Matt:

Metal can be given a frosted effect, instead of the shiny polished alternative. Matt-effect metal is a great alternative for those who are looking for the benefits of metal (weight, strength etc) without the shine that polished metal offers. Matt-effect beads are also less smooth than polished ones, meaning that they are more suited to some sorts of jewelry than others.

Polished:

Polished metal beads have been polished and buffed to give the beads a spectacular smooth finish and brilliant shine. These beads are eye-catching and will reflect the light in a way that gives a gleaming finish.

Unusually shaped trinkets:

Although many metal beads are round, ovoid or cylindrical, metal is a very malleable material for bead makers to work with, and therefore they are able to create a lot of different, brilliant and unusual shapes, which move away from the norm. These beads (or charms) are sometimes available singularly, as a set of identical beads or part of a variety pack. They can be used to express the wearers individuality or as a reminder of a special time or place in the wearer's life.

These different types of beads are not mutually exclusive, for instance, it is possible to get silver-plated, unusually shaped charms, or polished gold beads. It is even possible to find beads which have some polished sections and some matt sections! There are so many different types of metal beads available, that the list of jewelry designs that you can make with them is endless!

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