Why I Use Preciosa Crystal and Miyuki Beads

People often ask what I actually use to make each piece, so I thought I'd explain it properly rather than give the short version. It comes down to a small handful of materials I trust, and I use the same core ones in almost everything I make. Nothing here is a secret, and I think it helps to know what's actually in the jewellery you're wearing, especially if you're buying it as a gift for someone else.

When I started out, I tried a few different suppliers and bead types before settling on the combination I use now. It took a while to land on materials that were consistent enough that I could rely on them batch after batch, without every order looking slightly different from the last.

Preciosa crystal

Preciosa is a Czech crystal brand, and it's what gives a lot of my pieces their sparkle. The company has been making crystal for a very long time, and it shows in the quality. I like it because the colour and cut are consistent from batch to batch, so pieces made months apart still match if someone wants to order more of the same design later.

I mostly use Preciosa in small rondelle shapes and little faceted beads, which catch the light without being too flashy. The goal with most of my designs is something that sparkles gently rather than shouts, and Preciosa crystal does that really well.

Miyuki seed beads

Miyuki beads are Japanese seed beads, and they're known in the jewellery world for being very evenly sized. That matters more than you'd think when you're weaving beads by hand, since uneven beads throw the whole pattern off and make the finished piece sit unevenly on the wrist or neck.

I use Miyuki beads mostly as spacers and fillers between pearls and crystal, which is a small detail but one that makes a big difference to how a finished piece drapes. They also come in a huge range of finishes, from matte to glossy to metallic, which gives me a lot of room to play with colour combinations.

Faux glass pearls

I use high-quality faux glass pearls rather than natural or freshwater pearls. This is a deliberate choice, not a shortcut. Glass pearls give a very even, consistent shape and colour, which natural pearls simply can't offer since every one is slightly different. It also keeps the pieces more affordable, which matters to me since I want jewellery to feel like a treat, not something out of reach.

Every listing is clear about this, because I think it's important that people know exactly what they're buying. The finish is genuinely lovely though, soft and luminous in a way that photographs and wears beautifully.

Gold and silver-plated findings

Clasps, jump rings, and extension chains are all gold-tone or silver-plated, depending on the design. I choose findings based on what suits the overall palette of a piece rather than defaulting to one metal for everything. A soft blush and champagne piece usually calls for gold, while something cooler like the mint blue design works nicely in silver.

Beadalon wire and Wildfire thread

For stringing and weaving, I use Beadalon wire and Wildfire thread. Both are strong and hold up well over time, which is important for something you'll wear often rather than keep in a drawer. I'd rather use slightly more expensive stringing material and know a piece will last than cut corners somewhere nobody notices until it breaks.

Why I don't cut corners here

It would be cheaper to use lower-grade beads and thinner thread, and honestly a lot of buyers might not notice the difference straight away. But I want pieces that still look good a year or two after they're bought, not just in the first photo. Sticking with materials I know and trust is the simplest way I've found to make sure of that.