Glass seed beads are small, usually mass-produced beads that are meant to be sewn on or woven into patterns to give movement and color to an object. These are the most popular form of beads to thread on a home made scale. Glass seed beads are sometimes called E-beads that refers to the shape of the bead. These are not perfectly round, but rather is sliced, which gives it a squared round or roundish shape.

Types of Glass Seed Beads
Glass seed beads are made in many countries. Seed beads are perhaps the most widely used as they are very consistent in size from bead to bead, and the colors and finishes are less likely to fade in sunlight or water, or wear away when rubbed against other materials and objects. Japanese seed beads, French glass seed beads are perfectly consistent in size from bead to bead, and have more durable finishes than Czech beads. Other countries make seed beads as well, such as India, France and Italy.

Glass Seed Beads Fact Sheet:

Glass seed beads are sometimes also called rocailles. Japan and Czec Republic are the major suppliers of best quality glass seed beads. Japanese seed glass beads have comparatively large hole, which measures from 1.5mm to 4mm. Glass seed beads are relatively inexpensive. These beads are generally found in two types of shapes viz., round and pipe. Glass seed beads are usually produced in bulk. Being lightweight, these beads are mostly used in necklaces

Popular Forms
Glass seed beads can be treated in many ways. The various forms in which these are available are transparent, opaque, matte, metallic, lined, iris, iris lined, silver lined etc. Glass seed beads are available in a multitude of colors varying from transparent to cranberry and from aqua to black. There are many different shapes of seed beads, for example sphere shaped, cone shaped, cube shaped and rectangular shaped. These are used to produce the best quality items of jewelry for example necklaces, bracelets and anklets.