Glass Imitation Pearl Strands for Jewellery and Decoration

Glass imitation pearl strands are glass beads with a pearl coating, ready-strung on a thread. The smooth surface and soft pearly glow give them a classic pearl look, at a far more affordable price for handmade jewellery.

Most are round and come in a rich range of colours and sizes. Use them for bracelets, necklaces, earrings, hair accessories, charms and all sorts of decorative projects.

Why ready-made glass beads strands?

• A glass core — the beads are made of glass.
• A pearl coating — a finish over the glass gives a soft pearly effect rather than a hard metallic or mirror shine.
• Ready-strung — the beads come pre-strung on a thread, which makes it easy to get the right quantity and start your project quickly.

You’ll find a whole range of shades — white, cream and pink, red, blue, green, purple, including brown and darker tones. Sizes vary too, so you can go finer or chunkier for the finished piece.

Sizes and shapes

• 3–4 mm. Small beads for fine bracelets, necklaces, earrings and little decorative touches.
• 6–8 mm. A versatile size for bracelets and necklaces, especially if you want the pearl effect to stand out.
• 10–12 mm. Larger beads that can serve as the main element or an accent in a piece.
• 14 mm. The big models are more eye-catching and work well as the central accent in chunky necklaces and decorative arrangements.

Most models are round, but strand length and bead count vary with the size. You’ll find the number of glass beads on each strand in its product description.

What they’re used for

• Bracelets. The small and medium sizes are handy for classic pearl bracelets, or for pairing with metal spacers.
• Necklaces. Use a strand on its own, or split it into several rows and add a pendant.
• Earrings. The smaller beads suit fine designs, while the larger ones can carry a piece as the main accent.
• Anklets. The pearl effect looks lovely in summer pieces and simple jewellery for the ankle.
• Charms and decorations. White, red and coloured beads can be added to yarn, cord, gift trims and other seasonal projects.

What to combine them with

For a finished project you’ll need a suitable base, clasps and tools:

Cords and elastics

for bracelets

Metal spacers

for an accent

Clasps and parts

for finishing

Needles and threaders

for stringing

Frequently asked questions