Bead sizes

Oct 14, 2003 5 Replies
K

Ok, what am I missing here? I've always suspected that bead sizes varied across supplier - not a big issue, just curious. So I ordered a caliper from South Pacific, and it came yesterday with my big order from them. (Unfortunately, unlike Kathy N-V, it takes almost two weeks to get an order from them out to Kansas - but it was still great stuff.)



Anyway, I start measuring beads. Imagine my surprise (not really, but consternation all the same) to find out that 4mm beads are not - they're



2mm. 6mm beads are 4mm. 8mm beads are 6mm. This is across 3 different suppliers, several different types of stones. I didn't think to measure the sterling and gold-filled, but at least visually, I don't recall having the same question, so I don't think it's the case with them. I also haven't measured different shapes, to see if those measurements are accurate.

So, am I unaware of some industry standard that says subtract 2mm when listing size? Does diameter not mean diameter when it comes to beads? Is it truly consistent across the industry? I'd hate to start ordering a size up and suddenly actually get the real size I ordered.



Any insight on this?



Thanks, Karin


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G

Are you sure you're reading the caliper correctly? I've never ordered from South Pacific, but my stone beads from Rio and Fire Mountain are the size they're supposed to be. (And, you know, with a metric ruler you can eyeball the difference between 2mm and 4mm, or between 4mm and 6mm)

Hope this helps. Georgia

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T

I suspect you're reading the number at the opening, rather than the number that lines up with the measuring line. That's about a 2mm difference.

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K

Hmmmm, that may be it. I was reading the number at the edge of the caliper blade...since 0 was at the other edge of the opening, that seemed to make sense. But I'll check it again when I get home.

Thanks! Kar>

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C

I too have noticed some surprizing differences in measures of some stone beads, more with some suppliers than with others. And it really is something that can make you wonder whether it's like a 2 x 4, which is measured before it's milled. Usually the better suppliers have more precise measures, but I know I've had a visually noticeable difference on 2 mm beads. But I think it's a quality control issue, not a standard.

Tina

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